By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has inaugurated the construction of a 120 MVA transmission substation in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, while unveiling two new power transformers at Kankia to strengthen electricity supply across the state.
The minister, alongside the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2 × 60 MVA, 132/33 kV transmission substation in Garo town, Mashi, on Friday.
The ceremony was attended by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, and other federal and state government officials.
Tegbe said the Mashi project, funded by the Federal Government through TCN, was designed to improve bulk electricity supply, address persistent power shortages and support economic activities in the area.
He described the project as part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises reliable electricity infrastructure to stimulate economic growth, employment and business development.
According to the minister, the substation will provide 120 MVA of transformer capacity, equivalent to approximately 96 MW, improving power supply to Mashi and neighbouring communities.
"We have had two very interesting and exciting days in Kano and Katsina. There are a lot of projects that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is undertaking in the northern part of the country to boost electricity, and he has insisted that every Nigerian must have access to electricity to improve business activities and economic well-being," he said.
Tegbe urged TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to ensure quality delivery and timely completion of the project.
He said the contract was signed on March 24, 2023, with an initial duration of 24 months and an original completion date of August 2025. The deadline has since been revised to March 31, 2027.
The minister disclosed that issues concerning right-of-way and compensation for project-affected persons had been resolved, adding that compensation for the land and equipment involved had been paid before construction commenced.
He also called on residents to cooperate with the construction team and protect the facility against vandalism.
"To the people of Mashi, your partnership remains essential during construction and after commissioning. Support safe access to the site and, once built, protect the substation and its associated lines. Report suspicious activities promptly to TCN or security agencies," he said.
Earlier, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the project would address years of inadequate electricity supply and low voltage affecting households, businesses and farming activities in Mashi.
He explained that the project included the construction of the substation, installation of protection and control panels, and the provision of civil infrastructure to improve bulk power delivery through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
Abdulaziz said the increased transmission capacity would strengthen electricity supply in Katsina and surrounding communities.
Governor Radda commended President Tinubu for approving the project, describing it as a significant investment expected to improve electricity supply and stimulate economic activities in Mashi and neighbouring areas.
"On behalf of the government and people of Katsina State, I sincerely appreciate Mr President for bringing these important projects to our state," Radda said.
The governor also acknowledged the power minister's support for cooperation between the federal and state governments on a proposed 10 MW hybrid renewable energy project.
He disclosed that solar panels and other components for the project had arrived in Nigeria, expressing optimism that the Mashi substation would be completed by March 2027.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Chief of Staff to the governor, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Chairman of Mashi Local Government Area, Salisu Kallah Dan Kada; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power; representatives of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and KEDCO; traditional rulers and community leaders.
Kankia Substation Gets Capacity Upgrade
In a related development, Tegbe unveiled two 60 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformers at the Kankia transmission substation as part of efforts to expand electricity infrastructure and improve supply reliability in Katsina State.
The substation previously had an installed capacity of 60 MVA, provided by two 30 MVA transformers, which TCN said had become inadequate to meet growing electricity demand in the KEDCO franchise area served by the facility.
The upgrade involved replacing an existing 30 MVA transformer with two 60 MVA transformers while retaining the remaining 30 MVA unit, bringing the substation's total installed capacity to 150 MVA, equivalent to approximately 120 MW.
Tegbe said the intervention represented a 150 per cent increase in transformation capacity, providing room to accommodate previously unmet demand and strengthen bulk electricity supply to consumers.
"For the people of Kankia and the communities served by this substation, today's commissioning is about greater opportunity: the opportunity to run a business, process agricultural produce and sustain a livelihood with stronger electricity infrastructure behind you," he said.
The minister commended President Tinubu for prioritising electricity infrastructure, noting that improved power supply was essential for production, employment and economic development.
The project, executed by TCN and the Federal Ministry of Power, was awarded in June 2021 and funded by the World Bank, with China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute (JSPDI) serving as the contractor.
Completed in June 2026, the project covered the design, manufacture, supply, testing, delivery, installation and commissioning of the transformers, including their foundations, structures, auxiliary systems and associated installations.
TCN said the upgrade would improve the reliability and availability of bulk electricity supplied to the KEDCO network for onward distribution to consumers in Kankia, Dutsenma, Danbatta and Musawa in Katsina State.
Tegbe Inspects Katsina GIS Substation
The minister also inspected the 2 × 100 MVA, 132/33 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) transmission substation project at the Katsina 330/132/33 kV substation during the visit.
The project is designed to provide a combined transformation capacity of 200 MVA, strengthening the state's transmission infrastructure and enabling KEDCO to receive additional bulk electricity for distribution across Katsina town and adjoining communities.
According to the project description, the facility will help reduce power interruptions caused by network capacity constraints and support commercial, industrial and agricultural activities.
It is also expected to improve electricity supply to essential institutions, including hospitals and schools, while reducing reliance on generators.
The project involves the construction, installation, testing and commissioning of two 100 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformers, together with gas-insulated switchgear, protection and control systems, and the civil infrastructure required for operation.
During the visit, Tegbe urged TCN management, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure that ongoing projects were completed to the required standards and delivered the intended benefits to electricity consumers.