Power will be restored in northern Nigeria by Sunday, says TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the ongoing repairs to the damaged transmission line that led to a blackout in northern Nigeria will be completed by  November 3.

Sule Abdulaziz, the managing director (MD) of TCN, spoke at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

Abdulaziz said alternative measures have been implemented to transmit 400 megawatts to certain areas within the next 24 hours.

However, he said substantial power will be restored after repair is completed on the Ugwuaji–Apir transmission lines on Sunday.

The MD assured that efforts to restore electricity to the northern region are on course, adding that President Bola Tinubu has also directed TCN to expedite repairs and mandated Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, to provide security support.

‘ENGINEERS ARE WORKING TO RESTORE POWER BY SUNDAY’

The MD also said TCN had deployed its engineers to complete the restoration and is set to distribute approximately 500 to 600 megawatts to the northern region by Sunday.

“Restoring one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400MW of power through that corridor,” Abdulaziz said.

“TCN 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.”

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

Also, TCN said the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalised, leading to a reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano and other major cities in the north.

Two days later, Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s general manager of public affairs, said the faulty area, which measures one span, was identified as a snapped 330kv transmission line in the swampy forest of Igumale, Benue state.

However, on Monday, TCN said insecurity delayed repair, but it is working tirelessly to restore the bulk power supply.