The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the addition of 600 megawatts to Nigeria’s national grid following the completion of a key transmission infrastructure project in Edo State.

The development was disclosed on Thursday by TCN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sule Abdulaziz, during the commissioning of the Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta 330kV Turn-In-Turn-Out Transmission Line Project.

According to Abdulaziz, the project represents another major step in efforts to strengthen the country’s power transmission network and improve electricity distribution across several regions.

He explained that the project involved connecting the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV transmission line to the Ihovbor Transmission Substation, creating two new transmission routes spanning about 14 kilometres.

The TCN boss noted that the newly completed infrastructure would significantly improve the evacuation of electricity generated from power plants in the Benin axis, particularly the Azura Power Plant and facilities operated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

“With the completion of this strategic project, we have increased the operational flexibility of the transmission network and strengthened the resilience of power delivery within the Benin corridor,” Abdulaziz said.

He added that the project would help reduce transmission bottlenecks that previously limited the efficient movement of electricity from generating stations to distribution companies nationwide.

According to him, the upgrade now allows TCN to transmit more power across the country through the national grid system, ensuring that electricity generated in Edo can be wheeled to different parts of Nigeria more efficiently.

Abdulaziz further stated that the improved network flexibility would support better reliability in electricity supply and provide distribution companies with greater access to bulk power for consumers.

He described the project as part of TCN’s broader commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure through innovation, expansion and collaboration within the power sector.

“Before now, there was power generation without adequate evacuation capacity, but with this project, we can now move more electricity through the grid, which ultimately means improved supply for Nigerians,” he said.

The latest development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and stakeholders in the power sector to address transmission challenges and improve electricity access across the country.