The Federal Government of Nigeria is targeting an increase in electricity transmission capacity from about 5,000 megawatts to 19,000 megawatts, as the Executive Council of the Federation approves three projects to strengthen the national grid.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe announced the approvals after Wednesday’s Council meeting in Abuja, saying the interventions are part of efforts to improve grid stability and electricity delivery across the country.
The approved projects include a 33-kilovolt double-circuit line around the Katampe transmission substation, three 300 MVA transformers for Egbin transmission substation, and the upgrade of a 35.6-kilometre transmission line along the Lagos–Shagamu axis.
The Minister said: “Our intention is to be able to upgrade our transmission capacity to be able to hop up again from 5,000 megawatts transmission wheeling capacity to date, around 19,000 megawatts.”
He also disclosed that the government had paid ₦1.233 trillion out of the ₦3.3 trillion in outstanding power-sector debts.
“As we work on stabilising the grid, we are also addressing liquidity and debt issues in the sector. So far, we’ve been able to pay ₦1.233 trillion out of the ₦3.3 trillion debts to be cleared.”
The Minister further announced plans to rebuild the National Control Centre in Oshogbo and clear more than 300 containers of power equipment that have remained at Nigerian ports for years.
He said the government would assess the equipment and determine which items could be repaired and deployed.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
