The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has boosted the national power grid by adding 5,910 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of transformer capacity, a milestone announced on Monday, June 16.
The upgrade, spanning 12 new substations and 25 rehabilitated transformers across 10 states, increases Nigeria’s wheeling capacity to 14,810 MVA, enhancing electricity reliability for millions of households and businesses.
TCN Managing Director Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz said the projects, funded by a $1.5 billion World Bank loan, address decades of underinvestment in transmission infrastructure. Key installations include a 300 MVA transformer in Lagos and a 150 MVA unit in Kano, with substations in Ogun, Kaduna, and Anambra also upgraded. “This brings us closer to our 20,000 MVA target by 2027,” Abdulaziz told Vanguard. The upgrades have reduced grid collapses from 12 in 2023 to 3 in 2025, per TCN data.
Despite progress, challenges persist, with 60% of Nigerians lacking reliable power. TCN plans to commission 10 more substations by Q3 2025, aiming to support President Tinubu’s 6,000 MW generation goal. The expansion is critical for Nigeria’s industrialization, though experts stress the need for parallel investments in distribution networks.