The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a scheduled four-month electricity disruption in parts of Lagos as it commences extensive rehabilitation work on the Amuwo 132/33kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS).
The upgrade, set to last 122 days from March 18 to July 30, 2026, is aimed at improving the strength of the power network and ensuring more reliable electricity supply in the long run.
In a statement released over the weekend, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, expressed regret over the inconvenience the project will cause to residents and businesses.
The company explained that the process began on March 18 with a temporary outage to allow for the safe shutdown of the Amuwo substation.
This initial interruption affected major substations such as Apapa, Ilashe, and Atlas Cove, resulting in brief power cuts in nearby areas.
However, electricity was restored shortly after the decommissioning stage was completed.
“The outage was necessary to ensure safety during the initial phase of the project. Power has since been restored to the affected substations,” she said.
To reduce the impact of the ongoing work, TCN has put measures in place to maintain partial electricity supply.
Mobile transformers have been deployed to support affected locations, ensuring that power is not completely cut off throughout the duration of the project.
Specifically, 40MVA and 30MVA mobile transformers have been installed at the Amuwo Transmission Substation.
These will allow both Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to continue supplying electricity to customers, albeit at reduced capacity.
The company noted, “This is to ensure that electricity consumers still receive supply, even though it may not be at full capacity.”
The upgrade forms part of a wider effort to modernise Nigeria’s power transmission infrastructure and enhance overall grid performance.
Gas-insulated substations, such as the one being upgraded, are especially important in densely populated areas because they offer improved reliability and require less maintenance compared to conventional systems.
Once completed, the project is expected to boost power stability, reduce outages, and meet the growing energy demand in Lagos, the country’s commercial centre.
While acknowledging the inconvenience, TCN stressed that the long-term gains will outweigh the temporary disruption.
Residents and business owners in the affected areas have been urged to remain patient as work continues, with assurances that steps are being taken to minimise the impact.
“TCN sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this project may cause and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of electricity consumers,” the statement added.
The rehabilitation is projected to be completed by July 2026, after which a significant improvement in electricity supply is expected across the affected areas.
