The Transmission Company of Nigeria has communicated that the repairs to the damaged transmission line, which resulted in a blackout in northern Nigeria, are scheduled for completion by Sunday, 3 November 2024.
It was observed that alternative measures have been put in place to deliver 400 megawatts to specific areas within the next 24 hours.
Sule Abdulaziz, the Managing Director of TCN, announced this development during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, providing an update to Nigerians on the initiatives aimed at restoring electricity to the northern region.
On 22 October, TCN reported a power outage affecting the north-east, north-west, and certain areas of north-central Nigeria following the tripping of the 330-kilovolt Ugwuaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2.
Furthermore, TCN has indicated that the Shiroro-Kaduna line has been subjected to vandalism, resulting in a diminished bulk electricity supply to Kaduna, Kano, and other significant cities in the northern region.
Two days later, TCN reported that a broken 330kv transmission line in the swampy forest of Igumale, Benue State, further contributed to the blackout.
On Monday, TCN communicated that security challenges had postponed repairs but assured stakeholders that efforts were being made diligently to restore the bulk power supply.
President Bola Tinubu has instructed TCN to accelerate repairs and has tasked the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, with ensuring security support.
The Managing Director of TCN provided an update, stating that the company has deployed its engineers to finalize the restoration and is prepared to distribute approximately 500 to 600 megawatts to the northern region by Sunday.
He indicated, “Restoring one of these lines will enable TCN to transmit approximately 400MW of power through that corridor.” TCN is enhancing its efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji-Apir by Sunday, 3 November 2024.
This will allow TCN to transmit a significant amount of power from Apir to Jos, Kaduna, and Kano.
“In instances where the Shiroro-Kaduna line is unavailable, the sole alternative for supplying the northern region is via the Ugwuaji–Apir transmission lines.”
“Regrettably, that line was also vandalized, resulting in only lines one and two being available to supply power to that region.”
“On line two, almost five spans of the line were subjected to vandalism. The engineering team is diligently working to restore that line; however, due to security considerations, a military escort is necessary.
“By 6 pm, our engineers must vacate the area for safety reasons, return to a secure location for the night, and resume work in the morning.”
“Currently, line one, with a capacity of 400 megawatts, is expected to be operational between today and tomorrow.”
The second line, which has five spans vandalised, is anticipated to be completed by Sunday.
“Upon completion of these two lines, we will have the capacity to transmit a minimum of 500 to 600 megawatts to the northern region.”
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