Dare Babalola
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has upgraded the country’s power transmission network with the commissioning of new line connections along the Ihovbor axis, a move aimed at improving electricity evacuation and reinforcing grid stability.
The newly completed project features turn-in-turn-out connections linking the Ihovbor–Benin and Ihovbor–Ajaokuta 330kV transmission lines. Both connections were successfully energised at about 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2026.
Details of the development were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, via the company’s official X handle.
According to the statement, the project significantly boosts the capacity to evacuate power from key generation sources, particularly plants operated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and Azura Power, enabling more efficient transmission into the national grid.
TCN revealed that the Ihovbor–Benin line is currently wheeling approximately 200 megawatts of electricity, while the Ihovbor–Ajaokuta line is transmitting about 90 megawatts.
The company explained that the additional infrastructure is expected to ease transmission bottlenecks in the corridor, thereby enhancing the reliability and overall performance of the grid.
Describing the milestone as a critical step forward, TCN said the upgrade would improve the evacuation of electricity from the Ihovbor generating station and support a more stable power supply across affected areas.
“The commissioning delivers the Ihovbor corridor and provides additional evacuation capacity for NDPHC and Azura Power,’’ the company stated.
It added that the project will “strengthen power evacuation from the Ihovbor generating plant and improve grid stability and reliability in the affected regions.”
TCN noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand and modernise Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure in response to rising electricity demand.
