Abuja still in darkness 3 days after ‘explosion’

Most parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still in darkness for three days after a power substation at Apo exploded following a lightning strike on Tuesday.

Confirming the incident, the assistant general manager, public affairs of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Dave Ifabiyi, said some parts of Abuja metropolis, including Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, Karu, Keffi and environs were experiencing “power rationing, following the loss of a 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformer and the associated 33kV switchgears at the Transmission Company of Nigeria substation, Apo, as a result of a fire incident caused by direct lightening strike on Tuesday”.

However, residents have observed that the blackout has been for three days.

Explaining the cause of the power failure, Ifabiyi said: “The fire started after an explosive sound from the 132/33kV switchyard at about 2.40pm. It was then noticed that the relay room and cable trenches within the control room were engulfed in smoke. The engineers quickly disconnected the substation from the transmission grid to forestall further damage to other equipment, while the fire was successfully extinguished by the fire service.

“TCN’s quick response engineering team has since been working assiduously, to isolate the affected 60MVA, 330/123kV power transformer and replace cables of the 2x45MVA power transformers in the substation, so that service can be restored through the 2x45MVA and 1x100MVA power transformers not affected by the fire.”

He assured that as soon as isolation work is completed and the cables are replaced, normal transmission of electricity to distribution load centres in Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, international airport as well as Karu business units would commence.

Ifabiyi recalled that prior to the fire incident, the maximum distribution load required by the distribution business units that take supply from the Apo substation was 46MW.

“Therefore, even with the reduced transmission capability of 190MW, their load demand will still be met,” he added.

“TCN regrets any inconvenience the incident has caused electricity customers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and thanks the Abuja fire service for its prompt response to putting out the fire.”

Meanwhile, a high-ranking staffer of the TCN told TheCable on Friday that power generation had fallen from about 4, 000 megawatts to 2, 100 megawatts, hence the frequent power failures across the country.