The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced plans to expand the national electricity grid through the upgrade of the Alaoji–Onitsha transmission line, a key infrastructure project aimed at improving power supply across the South-East region.
According to the company, the project involves reconstructing the existing 138-kilometre line into a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor transmission system, a move expected to significantly boost capacity, efficiency, and overall grid reliability.
An official of the project implementation unit explained that the upgrade would drastically improve bulk power delivery, noting that the new configuration would deliver multiple times the current capacity.
“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,” the official said.
As part of the implementation process, compensation has been paid to affected communities along the transmission corridor in Abia and Imo states, with residents given a 90-day period to vacate the Right of Way to enable construction to proceed.
TCN noted that the project, being executed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), forms a critical component of its broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure and expand the national grid.
Officials also highlighted that the upgrade would reduce transmission losses, enhance grid stability, and improve electricity supply to major industrial and residential hubs, including the Alaoji and Port Harcourt axes, as well as other parts of the South-East.
The project is expected to be completed within 18 months, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to improve power distribution and support economic growth through a more reliable electricity network.
