President Bola Tinubu has directed Siemens Energy to expand Nigeria’s major power substations from two to three phases, signaling a renewed commitment to ensuring stable, reliable, and affordable electricity across the country. The directive was issued during a Monday meeting at the State House, Abuja, with Siemens Energy’s delegation led by Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa. Tinubu emphasized that the expansion is part of the broader Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), originally launched in 2019.
The President praised Siemens Energy for its continuous partnership under the PPI framework, which has focused on addressing critical bottlenecks in power transmission and distribution. “The progress of the project to date is notable, but it is not yet where we want it to be,” Tinubu said, assuring that his administration would provide political and financial support to complete the project’s current and upcoming phases.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu highlighted key milestones achieved in the sector, including decentralization and liberalization efforts, the signing of the Electricity Act 2023, and the development of the National Integrated Electricity Policy after 24 years. These initiatives have attracted over $2.2 billion in new investments, activated fifteen state electricity markets, and strengthened grid stability nationwide.
Phase One of the PPI, covering five key substations in cities such as Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha, is already underway, with two substations expected to be completed by December 2026. Phase One, Batch Two, will further expand the grid with six Brownfield and ten Greenfield substations, collectively adding 4,104MW of capacity. A training centre is also being built to develop local engineering talent, create jobs, and enhance technology transfer.
Siemens Energy’s delegation noted that the PPI positions Nigeria as a potential regional power hub, strengthening bilateral relations with Germany. The German Ambassador’s representative, Johannes Lehne, reaffirmed continued support from the German government. Since 2023, Siemens has committed to completing the grid upgrade five years ahead of the 2030 deadline, with 10 mobile substations and 10 mega transformers already in production for delivery to Nigeria.
source: nairametrics