New TCN Transmission Lines in Edo to Add 600MW to National Grid

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has commissioned newly constructed 330kV transmission lines in Edo State, a development expected to increase national grid capacity by an additional 600 megawatts.

The new Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta transmission lines were officially inaugurated on Thursday in Benin City by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Abdulaziz said the project would improve the evacuation of electricity generated from power plants in the Benin axis and strengthen electricity supply across the country.

He explained that one of the major constraints facing the power sector had been the inability to effectively evacuate generated electricity due to transmission limitations.

According to him, the newly completed infrastructure would enable more bulk power to be transmitted to distribution companies for onward supply to homes, businesses and industries.

“Before now, there was power generation, but evacuation remained a challenge. With this newly constructed 330kV line, we can evacuate more power, which means Nigerians will enjoy improved electricity supply,” he said.

Abdulaziz noted that the project involved linking the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV transmission lines to the Ihovbor Transmission Substation through two new transmission routes covering about 14 kilometres.

He added that the development had enhanced operational flexibility within the national grid while improving the reliability and resilience of electricity transmission in the Benin corridor.

The TCN boss stated that the project would significantly improve evacuation capacity from the Azura Power Plant and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company plant located in the area.

He said the transmission expansion would also reduce bottlenecks within the grid network and improve the wheeling of electricity to different parts of the country.

“With the national grid system, power generated from the Benin axis can now be transmitted more efficiently to any part of Nigeria. This project is another major step towards building a stronger and more reliable transmission network,” Abdulaziz added.

He reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to expanding transmission infrastructure nationwide to meet rising electricity demand and support future growth within the power sector.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Energo, the company that handled the project, Predrag Mihel, said the work included the construction of approximately 14 kilometres of double-circuit 330kV transmission lines comprising 30 transmission towers and associated foundations.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Ihovbor/Evbueka community, HRH Fortune Igbinakenzua, commended TCN for executing the project in the area.

Represented by the Secretary of the Ihovbor Community Working Committee, Mr Imafidon Eliot, the monarch appealed to the company to establish a permanent workstation in the community to create employment opportunities for residents.