FG approves East and West tremendous grids to boost transmission capability to 19,000MW

The Federal Government has accepted the graduation of procurement for the proposed East and West Super Grids, concentrating on a rise in electrical energy transmission capability from about 5,000 megawatts to 19,000MW inside two years.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe introduced the approval on Wednesday whereas briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council assembly chaired by President Bola Tinubu on the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Tegbe stated the initiatives would strengthen the nationwide electrical energy community, enhance resilience and allow extra energy to succeed in shoppers throughout the nation.

“The East and West Super Grids are not projects for one part of the country,” he stated. “They cut across the north and south of Nigeria, strengthening the backbone that must carry power from where it is generated to where it is needed.” According to the minister, Nigeria has greater than 13,000MW of obtainable era capability, however the transmission community can reliably carry solely about 5,000MW.

He stated the proposed grids would tackle that imbalance, cut back instability and enhance electrical energy provide to properties, companies and industries. “The target is simple,” Tegbe stated. “We want a grid that can evacuate the power we already have, not one that leaves generation stranded while consumers remain in darkness.”

He defined that the transmission corridors would strengthen connections from Sokoto via Abuja and different areas into elements of southern Nigeria. Beyond the tremendous grids, the council accepted three rapid interventions serving Abuja and the Lagos axis.

The first includes a 33kV double-circuit underground and overhead line linked to the Katampe Transmission Substation, a serious electrical energy hub serving the North-Central area. The second covers the design, manufacture and provide of three 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformers for the Ikeja West Transmission Substation, a essential provide level for Lagos.

The third challenge will reconstruct and improve the 35.6-kilometre Itumola–Mapasin–Shagamu 132kV single-circuit transmission line right into a double-circuit line to fulfill rising demand alongside the Lagos–Shagamu hall. “These are not glamorous projects, but they are the projects that determine whether power actually gets to the consumer,” Tegbe stated. The minister defined that the high-capacity transformers could be manufactured overseas as a result of Nigeria doesn’t but have the capability to provide gear of that specification.

“Some companies have started assembling transformers locally, but these large units require specialised manufacturing,” he stated. “They can take between three and six months to produce, and global demand is rising because of artificial intelligence and data centres.” Tegbe additionally disclosed that the ministry had begun a nationwide technical audit to establish ageing and weak electrical energy belongings requiring alternative or rehabilitation.

He stated the train, which had been working for 4 weeks, divided the nation into three main power zones: Lagos and its industrial hall, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, and Enugu–Onitsha–Benin. “We will no longer spend money on the wrong projects,” he stated. “The audit will show us exactly where the system is failing and where investment will deliver measurable impact.”

He added that the federal government was prioritising the Lagos–Ogun, Benin–Edo–Port Harcourt and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano corridors. According to him, the Lagos–Ogun hall alone accounts for about half of nationwide power demand. On the sector’s monetary challenges, Tegbe stated the Federal Government had paid ₦1.23 trillion out of ₦3.3 trillion owed to fuel suppliers and different power-sector stakeholders.

He stated the liabilities had restricted fuel provides to electrical energy era firms and weakened confidence throughout the electrical energy worth chain. “We have paid ₦1.23 trillion, and we intend to finish the job,” he stated. “But we must also stop new debts from accumulating.”

The minister stated the fee was made via bonds underneath the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme. He defined that the programme was supposed to enhance liquidity for era firms, help fuel provide and restore investor confidence. Tegbe added that the federal government was reviewing the electrical energy market construction to strengthen fee self-discipline and stop contemporary arrears. He additionally disclosed that Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria Customs Service to clear greater than 300 containers of electrical energy gear stranded on the nation’s ports.

Some of the containers had reportedly remained uncleared for between 14 and 20 years. “It is unacceptable that equipment meant to strengthen the grid has been sitting at the ports for years,” Tegbe stated. “The President has directed that this must be resolved.” He attributed the backlog to the failure of earlier administrations to settle excellent costs and full clearance procedures.

After the containers are launched, technical consultants will examine the gear to find out which objects stay serviceable and may be deployed. Obsolete supplies will likely be disposed of appropriately. The minister stated development had additionally commenced on a brand new National Control Centre in Osogbo to switch the prevailing facility, which he described as 64 years outdated. “The new control centre will give us modern tools to monitor and manage the national grid,” he stated.

The ministry can be bringing accomplished transmission substations into operation in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and different areas. Alongside these initiatives, Tegbe stated the federal government was increasing photo voltaic mini-grids for establishments affected by transmission constraints.

Fourteen federal universities have acquired put in and energised mini-grids with capacities starting from 1MW to 5MW, whereas one other 11 are receiving help via the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Five educating hospitals are additionally benefiting from photo voltaic installations being applied in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

Tegbe stated the administration would proceed to prioritise grid stability, infrastructure rehabilitation, improved liquidity and renewable power funding. “Our goal is not just to announce projects,” he stated. “It is to build a power system that Nigerians can depend on.”