North blackout: TCN promises power restoration in five days

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced that the ongoing repairs to the damaged transmission line that led to a blackout in northern Nigeria will be completed by Sunday, 3 November 2024.

It noted, however, that alternative measures have been implemented to transmit 400 megawatts to certain areas within the next 24 hours.

The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this development at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, updating Nigerians on efforts to restore electricity to the northern region.

On 22 October, TCN reported a power outage in the north-east, north-west, and parts of north-central Nigeria after the 330-kilovolt Ugwuaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped.

In addition, TCN reported that the Shiroro-Kaduna line had been vandalised, leading to reduced bulk electricity supply to Kaduna, Kano, and other major cities in the north.

Two days later, TCN stated that a snapped 330kv transmission line in the swampy forest of Igumale, Benue State, further contributed to the blackout.

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On Monday, TCN explained that insecurity had delayed repairs but assured it was working tirelessly to restore the bulk power supply.

President Bola Tinubu also directed TCN to expedite repairs and mandated the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to provide security support.

Providing an update, the TCN MD said the company had deployed its engineers to complete the restoration and is set to distribute approximately 500 to 600 megawatts to the northern region by Sunday.

He stated, “Restoring one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400MW of power through that corridor. TCN is also intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji-Apir by Sunday, 3 November 2024.

“This will enable TCN to wheel a substantial quantum of power from Apir to Jos, Kaduna, and Kano.

“Whenever the Shiroro-Kaduna line is out, the only other gateway used to supply the northern region is through the Ugwuaji–Apir transmission lines.

“Unfortunately, that line was also vandalised, leaving us with only lines one and two to supply power to that region.

“For line two, nearly five spans of the line were vandalised. Our engineers are working to restore that line, but due to security concerns, they require a military escort.

“By 6 pm, our engineers have to leave the area for safety, return to a secure location for the night, and resume work in the morning.

“As of now, line one, which can carry 400 megawatts, should be ready between today and tomorrow.

“The second line, with five spans vandalised, is expected to be ready by Sunday.

“So once we complete these two lines, we will be able to transmit at least 500 to 600 megawatts to the northern region.”