KEDCO tasks FG on improved electricity supply to North-West
The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has appealed to the Federal Government to intervene toward addressing challenges affecting electricity supply from the National Grid to the North West States.
KEDCO Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.
Bala said that the company’s network currently depended on only two major transmission routes for power supply into the Kano Complex, through Kaduna and Jos.
“This limited transmission redundancy has significantly constrained the reliability and stability of electricity supply to Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and surrounding areas, leaving the network highly vulnerable to outages whenever faults occur on either route,”he said.
Bala emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security, maintenance, and capacity expansion along the Shiroro–Mando–Kano transmission corridor.
According to him, increased investment is required to strengthen infrastructure, expand transmission capacity, and build redundancy into the network to reduce system vulnerability and ensure more consistent power delivery.
“These improvements will address longstanding limitations within the transmission network that continue to impact distribution efficiency and service reliability,” he said.
Bala said that in recent weeks, scheduled maintenance and service interventions on the transmission network, especially that involving the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) along the transmission line routes resulted in recurring weekend downtimes.
“These situations remain detrimental to both industrial productivity and the welfare of citizens across the Northwestern states and the KEDCO franchise area, in particular,” he said.
He therefore appealed to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, to direct TCN to urgently improve transmission service delivery and accelerate ongoing maintenance and upgrade projects.
He added that improved transmission stability was critical to sustaining economic activities and ensuring reliable electricity for homes and businesses.
In the interim, he stated that available supply would be strategically managed to prioritize industrial and economic hubs and small-scale businesses to maintain economic balance across its franchise areas.
He said that the company was engaging with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to mitigate the impact of supply constraints and improve service coordination.
He said that the were plans to expand embedded and distributed generation infrastructure within its network are being fast-tracked.
“These initiatives aim to reduce absolute dependence on the national grid and move toward a more resilient and consolidated regional power system capable of delivering a sustainable electricity supply,” he said.
Balaexpressed profound appreciation to the Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa state governments for their increased investment in power infrastructure, particularly in generation projects.
The ongoing projects,he said,included the 20MW hybridization project at Lambar Rimi, in Katsina State, a planned 10MW project in Gagarawa Jigawa State, as well as the connection of the 16MW Tiga and Challawa Dams (combined) in Kano State.
He said that the company was partnering with investors to develop a Gas power plant in Tamburawa alongside the AKK pipeline timeline.
Hebreassured customers and stakeholders that the current challenges would not persist indefinitely, affirming its commitment to working with all relevant authorities and partners to ensure a more sustainable and reliable electricity network for the region.
“KEDCO remains steadfast in its resolve to advocate for the necessary improvements within the national transmission network and will continue to take all possible steps to ensure that the concerns of its customers and stakeholders are heard and addressed through appropriate and timely actions,” he added
