The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has kicked off the reconstruction and upgrade of the 138-kilometre Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line, a strategic move to strengthen electricity supply in the South-East. The project, executed in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), involves clearing the Right of Way (RoW) under a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), according to a Monday statement from TCN.
The upgrade will convert the existing single-circuit line into a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor line, greatly boosting the grid’s capacity and efficiency. Aromeh Adole, Assistant General Manager at the AfDB Project Implementation Unit, stated that the new line will deliver four times the transmission capacity of the current line, revolutionizing bulk power delivery in the region.
Compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) was completed between March 31 and April 2, 2026, covering communities across eight Local Government Areas in Abia and Imo states. Beneficiaries have been given 90 days to vacate the Right of Way.
Engr. Edeh Obiora Alexander, Acting Project Manager for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP-1), highlighted that the Federal Government provided counterpart funding to ensure timely and fair compensation. He also commended TCN Managing Director Engr. Sule Abdulaziz for his leadership and thanked President Bola Tinubu for authorizing fund release to support the project. The transmission upgrade is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Strengthened Electricity Supply for South-East
TCN says the project will enhance power delivery to the Alaoji–Port Harcourt corridor, Abia State, and the wider South-East. The switch to double-circuit quad conductors will reduce transmission losses and improve grid reliability, aligning with TCN’s broader national expansion strategy to provide stable electricity to homes and industries across Nigeria.
In a related move, the Federal Government approved a ₦3.3 trillion plan to settle legacy power sector debts accumulated from February 2015 to March 2025. So far, ₦2.3 trillion has been agreed with 15 generation companies, with ₦501 billion raised and ₦223 billion disbursed.
This initiative comes in the wake of ongoing infrastructure challenges, including two major national grid collapses in January 2026 that triggered widespread blackouts.