FG Boosts Katsina Power Supply with 120MW Infrastructure Projects

"The projects, inaugurated on Friday, are part of efforts by the Federal Government to expand transmission capacity, meet growing electricity demand and improve power delivery to homes, businesses and industries."

"The investments reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resetting the power sector and providing infrastructure to drive economic growth." Mr Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power.

The Federal Government has commissioned two 60-megavolt-ampere (MVA) power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation and commenced the construction of a new 120MVA facility in Mashi, Katsina State, in a move to strengthen electricity supply and support economic activities in the state.

The projects, inaugurated on Friday, are part of efforts by the Federal Government to expand transmission capacity, meet growing electricity demand and improve power delivery to homes, businesses and industries.

Speaking at the commissioning of the transformers in Kankia and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mashi Transmission Substation, the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said the investments reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resetting the power sector and providing infrastructure to drive economic growth.

At Kankia, Tegbe said the installation of two 60MVA, 132/33-kilovolt power transformers had increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, representing a 150 per cent increase.

He explained that the new transformers replaced an existing 30MVA unit, while the remaining 30MVA transformer would be retained, bringing the substation’s total installed capacity to 150MVA, equivalent to approximately 120 megawatts.

According to the minister, the expansion will enable the substation to accommodate previously suppressed electricity demand and strengthen bulk power supply to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company for onward distribution to consumers.

He said, “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.”

Tegbe described the project as practical progress under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that reliable electricity remained central to Nigeria’s development aspirations.

He said investments in critical power infrastructure were expected to stimulate production, create economic opportunities and improve living conditions.

The minister commended Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening the power sector, adding that the investments would help create an enabling environment for businesses and other productive activities.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute, engineers, technicians and other project teams involved in delivering the Kankia project.

Tegbe further appreciated Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, for his support and partnership, while commending traditional rulers and host communities for their contributions.

He urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Independent System Operator and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company to work closely together to ensure that the additional capacity translated into improved electricity supply.

The minister also called for proper maintenance of the newly installed equipment, stressing the need to place consumers’ interests at the centre of operations.

At Mashi, Tegbe said the Federal Government, through the TCN, was investing in a new 2 × 60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation designed to provide 120MVA of transformation capacity, equivalent to approximately 96MW.

He said the facility, upon completion, would strengthen the transmission network’s capacity to deliver available electricity within Katsina State and surrounding communities.

According to him, the project would support farmers, traders, artisans and households by providing stronger electricity infrastructure to facilitate economic activities and improve welfare.

He said, “Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose: to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow.”

The minister added that the project was another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding critical infrastructure across the country, irrespective of geographical location.

He commended Tinubu for pursuing a power sector reset through the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that dependable infrastructure was necessary to translate the country’s economic ambitions into tangible benefits for citizens.

Tegbe disclosed that issues relating to the project’s right of way and compensation had been satisfactorily resolved, paving the way for construction to proceed.

He said the project was scheduled for completion on March 31, 2027, and urged the TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to ensure strict adherence to quality standards, safety requirements and the delivery timeline.

The minister stressed the need for thorough supervision throughout the project’s implementation, including equipment manufacturing, civil works, installation and testing.

He urged the project teams to document inspections, correct defects promptly and ensure that all components met the required standards.

Tegbe also commended Governor Radda for his support and constructive partnership, while appreciating the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN’s Managing Director, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, traditional rulers, affected landowners and host communities for their cooperation.

He called on residents of Mashi to support the construction process and protect the infrastructure after commissioning.

The minister urged community members to provide safe access to the project site and report suspicious activities around the substation and associated transmission lines to the TCN or security agencies.

He said protecting the infrastructure would help safeguard the community’s economic future and ensure that the facility served residents for years to come.

Tegbe further charged all institutions involved in the project to maintain effective coordination, keep host communities informed and resolve emerging challenges promptly.

He said the success of the investments would ultimately be measured by their ability to improve electricity delivery and support economic activities across the state.

The two projects are expected to strengthen Katsina’s transmission infrastructure, with the Kankia expansion providing additional capacity at an existing facility and the Mashi project adding a new substation to the network.

However, the minister emphasised that the gains from the investments would depend on effective coordination among transmission and distribution operators to ensure that available electricity was delivered efficiently to end users.