TCN Begins Upgrade Of 138km Alaoji–Onitsha Transmission Line

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced steps to expand the national grid with the reconstruction and upgrade of the 138-kilometre Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line, as part of efforts to improve electricity supply across the South-East.

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Naija News reports that the project, being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), involves the acquisition and clearing of the Right of Way (RoW) under a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), the company said in a statement issued on Monday.

TCN explained that the project would upgrade the existing single-circuit line to a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor transmission line, which is expected to significantly boost the grid’s capacity and efficiency.

The Assistant General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment at the AfDB Project Implementation Unit, Aromeh Adole, said the upgrade would dramatically increase electricity transmission in the region.

“The existing line is a single circuit, while the new line will deliver four times that capacity, fundamentally transforming bulk power delivery in the South East,” Adole said.

The company disclosed that compensation payments were made to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) between March 31 and April 2, 2026, covering communities along the transmission corridor in Abia and Imo states.

The affected areas include eight Local Government Areas within the transmission line corridor.

Adole said beneficiaries have been given 90 days to vacate the Right of Way following the payment of compensation.

Speaking on the project, the Acting Project Manager for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP-1) under the TCN-AfDB Project Implementation Unit, Engr. Edeh Obiora Alexander, said the Federal Government provided counterpart funding to ensure fair and prompt compensation for affected persons.

He also commended the Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, for what he described as strong leadership that enabled the project to take off.

Alexander further praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the timely release of funds for the project.

He added that the transmission upgrade is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Improved Power Supply Expected In South-East

According to TCN, the project will significantly improve electricity supply to the Alaoji and Port Harcourt axes, Abia State and the wider South-East region.

The transition to double-circuit quad conductors is also expected to reduce transmission losses and strengthen overall grid reliability.

The company said the project forms part of its broader strategy to expand the national grid and deliver more stable electricity to industrial and residential areas across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government recently approved a ₦3.3 trillion payment plan aimed at settling long-standing debts in Nigeria’s power sector.

The approval was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the decision followed a review of legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025 under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme.

“Following verification, ₦3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution,” the statement said.

According to the government, 15 power generation companies have already signed settlement agreements worth ₦2.3 trillion, while ₦501 billion has so far been raised to fund the programme, with ₦223 billion already disbursed.

Nigeria’s power sector has faced persistent infrastructure challenges, including frequent grid collapses.

The national grid experienced two major collapses within five days in January 2026, specifically on January 23 and January 27, causing nationwide blackouts.