FG plans $2bn super grid to boost electricity supply

The Federal Government has promised Nigerians more stable electricity within the next three to five years, as Power Minister Joseph Tegbe announced the resolution of recent supply disruptions and unveiled plans for a $2bn transmission super grid.
Tegbe said on Monday that electricity had returned to several areas affected by outages, particularly in Lagos, following the completion of maintenance at the Egbin Power Station and repairs to a vandalised transmission line.

Speaking on a TVC programme monitored by TheCable, the minister said the government had addressed the challenges responsible for the recent disruptions.
“Number one, we’ve sorted out this little challenge we had in the last few days. It was painful for most of you. But look, we fixed it. And we will ensure that that stability remains,” he said.

He added, “My focus is to ensure grid stability.”
Providing an update on electricity supply in Lagos, Tegbe said several communities had regained power following interventions by the government and electricity operators.
“I’m sure in Lagos, I confirm as at last night because I made personal calls, Ajah, Lekki, Ikoyi, Magodo, Ikeja, lights are back,” he said.

The minister added that residents had sent him messages confirming the restoration, while appealing to Nigerians to remain patient as efforts continued to improve supply.
The latest development followed the repair of the vandalised Benin-Egbin 330kV transmission line, which Tegbe said had been returned to service.

According to an earlier update by the minister, the repair increased electricity supply to the Lagos Complex to more than 1,000 megawatts, effectively restoring it to levels recorded before the disruption.
The recent outages had affected parts of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

Tegbe had previously attributed the disruptions to planned maintenance at Egbin, gas supply constraints affecting thermal power stations and sabotage of transmission infrastructure.
He said the maintenance at Egbin, which he described as Nigeria’s largest thermal power station, had been completed.
The minister, however, acknowledged that restoring electricity supply would require more than resolving immediate operational challenges, stressing the need to expand the country's transmission infrastructure to meet growing demand.

He projected that Nigerians would begin to enjoy more stable electricity within three to five years.
“Honestly speaking, you already see some visible improvement despite the challenge we have had. By the time we fix the grid, I'll look at the horizon of about three to five years from now,” he said.

“Infrastructure build-out is not done overnight. Even when we fix some of the challenges we have today, we need to build the capacity.”
Tegbe noted that increasing demand from businesses, remote workers and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and data services, made reliable electricity increasingly important.

“Everybody’s building capacity for AI, for data. Most young people work from home, and because of that, there’s a need for bandwidth and for electricity supply,” he said.
As part of the long-term intervention, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government was planning a $2bn east-west super grid to expand transmission capacity and strengthen the national electricity network.

He said the proposed infrastructure would connect Funtua, Gwagwalada, Ikot Ekpene, Benin, Epe and Ilorin.
According to him, the project would complement existing transmission facilities rather than replace them, while improving the stability and resilience of the national grid.

Tegbe said the procurement process had commenced and that the project could be completed within two years.
He added that the government intended to increase the grid's capacity from about 4,000MW to 19,000MW, while encouraging private sector participation in electricity transmission within the next two to three years.

“So give me a time horizon of three to five years. Nigeria will enjoy stable life. And as demand improves, it will get better,” he said.
The minister said the immediate priority remained making better use of existing electricity infrastructure while ongoing investments were pursued.

He appealed to consumers to bear with the government, acknowledging the hardship caused by unreliable electricity supply.