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Daniel Adaji
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fibre cable on the Omotosho/Ikeja West 330kV transmission line.
This is intended to enhance real-time grid control and improve electricity delivery in Lagos State.
The upgrade, jointly approved by NERC and the National Independent System Operator (NISO), is a major infrastructure project by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) aimed at strengthening grid communication and boosting Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) capability.
According to Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, the installation is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 21, 2025, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm daily.
“This is a critical infrastructure upgrade on one of the 330kV lines wheeling bulk power to Lagos and its environs,” Mbah stated in a release on Saturday. “The upgrade involves the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fibre cable on the Omotosho/Ikeja West 330kV transmission line.”
Despite the ongoing work, TCN has assured residents and industries in Lagos that efforts have been made to minimize disruption.
“Power will be restored through the line after each day’s work, and all other circuits will remain operational to ensure a stable power supply to the Lagos complex during the exercise,” she added.
Once completed, the fibre installation will significantly improve the functionality of TCN’s SCADA system, enabling the grid operator to monitor and manage the transmission network in real-time.
Mbah explained, “Upon completion, the upgrade will enable full operationalization of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, enhancing real-time monitoring and management of the power grid.”
The SCADA system, a long-standing infrastructure priority for TCN, is critical to addressing grid instability by allowing faster response times, early fault detection, and smoother coordination of power flows across Nigeria’s transmission network.
The Omotosho/Ikeja West line is one of the high-capacity routes feeding bulk electricity into Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub. The OPGW upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to modernize transmission infrastructure and improve service delivery in high-demand zones.