In a bid to tackle power supply challenge, FGN Power Company, in collaboration with Siemens Energy, on Thursday, commissioned a 63MVA, 132/33kV Mobile Substation at the Eleyele Transmission Substation in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The step was part of the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), aimed at modernising Nigeria’s power infrastructure. The government stated that the new substation would improve the transmission wheeling capacity by 50.4 MW, directly benefiting households and businesses in Eleyele and its environs.

Speaking, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said, “The commissioning of this mobile substation is a testament to our commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable power to the people of Oyo State and Nigerians.

“The project aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to modernise Nigeria’s power sector and improve the quality of life for our citizens. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative. This Mobile Substation, along with other equipment undergoing installation under the Pilot Phase of the PPI, represents a strategic deployment aimed at improving the transmission capacity constraints by over 1300MW across the nation.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe, stated that the facility would address critical infrastructure gaps and enhance the overall capacity and reliability of the power system.

Anuwe stated, “We are delighted to commission this state-of-the-art mobile substation. This achievement underscores our dedication to providing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s power challenges. By strategically deploying these mobile substations, we are addressing critical infrastructure gaps and enhancing the overall power system’s capacity and reliability. We are committed to continuing our efforts to deliver reliable power to all Nigerians. This particular substation, located at Eleyele, holds special significance. It will not only improve power supply to the immediate community but also the surrounding areas, empowering households and businesses.”

Since its inception, FGN Power Company has successfully installed, energised, and commissioned eight Power Transformers, contributing an additional 569.6MW to the transmission network. Also, five Mobile Substations have been successfully deployed, contributing an additional 252 MW.

With the commissioning at Eleyele, an additional 50.4 MW is added, bringing the total to six mobile substations, which contribute an additional 302.4 MW to the transmission network. Another Mobile Substation at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), is on the verge of energisation, adding 50.4 MW to the total, bringing the number to seven with a combined contribution of 352.8 MW.

The minister said these efforts have resulted in a substantial 922.4 MW increase to the national grid’s transmission capacity, 569.6 MW from Power Transformers and an additional 352.8 MW from Mobile Substations.

The newly commissioned substation is part of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a comprehensive plan to modernise and expand Nigeria’s power infrastructure. This initiative aims to address the nation’s power challenges and ensure a reliable power supply for industrial clusters, commercial hubs, and households, thereby supporting economic growth.

FGN Power Company (FGNPC) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) mandated to implement the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). FGNPC’s mission is to address infrastructural gaps by investing in end-to-end solutions that will deliver reliable, incremental energy to customers in Nigeria.

In December 2024, the minister commissioned two 63MVA, 132/33KV mobile substations at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and Saapade, Ogun State to boost power supply and increase transmission capacity by 100.8MW. The Ibadan substation improved power supply and enhanced the learning and research environment at the University of Ibadan, while further boosting supplies to Samonda, Ajibode, and environs.

Also in May of this year, the Federal Government approved two major energy projects in Oyo State, aimed at strengthening the national grid and addressing the state’s persistent power challenges.

The projects included reviving and concessioning the decades-old Ikere Gorge Hydropower Plant in Iseyin and construction of a high-capacity new substation located in Lthe alupon/Ejioku axis of Lagelu Local Government Area, boosting power supply to Iwo road, Monatan, Olodo and the adjoining areas in Ibadan.

The Ikere Plant was originally launched in 1979 under the military regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and operationalised in 1980 during President Shehu Shagari’s tenure. The Hydropower Plant will now undergo a significant upgrade from 6 Megawatts (MW) to 20 MW under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) concession.

The 2 x 60 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA), 132/33KV substation in Lalupon/Ejioku, Lagelu Local Government, would help alleviate pressure on the grid and improve energy supply.