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By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has commissioned transmission projects at four substations in Kano State to strengthen electricity supply, improve network reliability and support growing industrial and commercial activities.
The projects at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi were commissioned on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, in partnership with the Kano State Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The facilities are expected to increase electricity wheeling capacity by 544MW and improve power supply to households, businesses and industries across Kano metropolis and adjoining communities.
Speaking at the ceremonies, Tegbe said the investments would ease pressure on existing infrastructure, accommodate rising demand and provide alternative supply routes to improve network flexibility.
At Walalambe, the project includes two 40 MVA, 132/33 kV transformers with a combined capacity of 80 MVA. The facility is expected to improve supply to Tokarawa Industrial Area, Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and surrounding communities.
The minister said the substation also provides a dedicated 33 kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, which had operated off-grid for more than 30 years, potentially reducing its dependence on self-generated electricity.
At Kumbotso, the installation of a 300 MVA, 330/132/33 kV transformer and a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer increased upstream transformation capacity from 600 MVA to 750 MVA and downstream capacity from 220 MVA to 280 MVA.
Tegbe said the upgrade could benefit at least 220,000 households while supporting manufacturing, agricultural processing and small and medium-sized enterprises.
At Dakata, the installation of a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer raised the substation's capacity from 150 MVA to 250 MVA, an increase of 66.7 per cent. The project also included replacing analogue control and protection panels with modern digital systems.
The upgrade is expected to improve electricity supply to the Dakata Industrial Complex and adjoining communities, with the potential to benefit at least 70,000 households.
At Dan-Agundi, a new 100 MVA transformer increased available capacity from 60 MVA to 160 MVA following a fire that damaged two of the substation's three original transformers.
The intervention is expected to improve electricity supply to Dan-Agundi, the Emir's Palace, Kano ancient town and surrounding communities, with an estimated 80,330 people expected to benefit.
The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects represented significant investments in strengthening Kano's transmission network and improving bulk electricity delivery to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
He explained that the projects would provide additional capacity for homes and businesses while improving operational flexibility, equipment monitoring, fault detection and maintenance.
Abdulaziz said the Walalambe project was awarded in 2005 to address growing demand and ease pressure on the Dakata and Dan-Agundi substations, while the Dakata project was awarded in June 2021 and completed in June 2026.
He added that the Dan-Agundi project was also completed in June 2026 as part of efforts to restore the substation's capacity after the fire incident.
The minister commended TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company and the contractors for their contributions to the projects.
He also acknowledged the World Bank for financing the Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi interventions, while recognising Atlantic Engineering and Construction Company Limited and China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute for their roles.
Tegbe urged host communities to protect the facilities against vandalism, warning that damage to electricity infrastructure could disrupt businesses and household activities.
He also commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for cooperating with the Federal Government to facilitate infrastructure development in the state.
The minister said the projects aligned with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to develop a reliable electricity network capable of supporting economic growth and improving living standards.