By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and the Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Abdulaziz have assured of electricity restoration and supply in some days to the norther part of the country that has thrown in darkness as a result of the vandalism.
TCN had reported that its 330kV Ugwaji–Apir Double Circuit transmission lines1&2, tripped due to a fault, resulting in a forced power outage affecting the North East, North West and parts of North Central.
The duo specifically assured that in the next five days, Saturday 3rd November 2024, power supply will be restored to the region.
They gave the assurance at a press briefing organized by TCN to inform Nigerians of it’s efforts restore power to the North and as well forestall reoccurrence of incessant grid disturbances being experienced in the country.
Already,
Chief Adelabu said an alternative route is now being explored to provide electricity to the Northern region.
On the security challenges which have hindered TCN engineers from working on the vandalized lines, the Minister disclosed that the Service Chiefs have assured of providing security to ensure that the Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2 are restored in a matter of days.
“So, I can assure you that before the end of this week, light will be restored to the north. We are exploring alternative routes, we are hoping that in a matter of days, light will be restored to the north.
“As we explore an alternative route, we’ll still continue to work on the vandalised lines. This must have actually affected a number of parts, not just lines. Amongst the first parts, we know that a lot of single work needs to be carried out before the direct power can show that they are standing properly before the streaming of the light to the south.
“So, in a matter of two or three days, more than 70 to 80 per cent of the northern part, which is affected, will have light. That is the assurance that we give you”.
The Minister also disclosed of a memo before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of a super grid. “Given the weaknesses of the existing grid, we need a back up grid that will serve as a failover option.
If anything happens to the existing grid, there will be a backup option, an alternative route. It’s a problem when there are no alternatives, but once you have an alternative, we just redirect its route, ”he stressed.
He said that a super grid will reduce over reliance on the existing single national grid.
The Minister who 9¿ acknowledged the huge amount and time to build a super grid, solicuted for patience and understanding among Nigerians as a result of the incessant grid disturbance being experienced in recent times.
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz said the Shiroro – Mando 330kv line 1 tripped on 9th September 2024, patrol of the safe area was done, but that the faulty section could not be reached due to insecurity.
Engr. Abdulaziz stated that efforts were made by using local vigilante who confirmed snap conductor on a tower but they could not identify the tower number.
“Arrangements were made to use the local group to escort our engineers in the night to effect repairs in order to evade the bandits in the location. Unfortunately, we did not succeed because the bandits got wind of our intentions and laid siege to the area.
“TCN solicited the support of the Nigeria Air force, Kaduna for unmanned aerial surveillance on 17th October 2024 and the impacted towers were identified. They were four (4) in number with 3 totally collapsed and 1 number twisted.
“In another related development, vandalism of Ugwuaji – Apir 330kV lines were reported on 21st October, 2024 causing tripping of the lines.
“Trial reclosure failed and patrol revealed damaged conductors due to vandalism. This compounded the transmission of bulk power to the Northern corridor as these lines serve as link between Northern and Southern area. This outage severely affected the wheeling capacity of TCN.”
The TCN boss said the area affected has been secured with help of Nigerian Army and concerted effort is ongoing on one of the lines for restoration.
” Arrangements were made to use the local
group to escort our engineers in the night to a factory place in order to evade the
mandates in the location. We have done similar things almost years ago.
Unfortunately, the North-West Corridor threw the second circuit until 13 October 2024,
when the second line also threw and failed to stay on dry reclosure. Local vigilante were
again engaged to comb the area, but could only access part of the safe area. “Hence, the
transmission company of Nigeria solicited the support of the Nigerian Air Force for
unmanned aerial surveillance on 17 October 2024, and the impacted towers were
identified.
There were four towers in number, with three of them totally collapsed and one number
was twisted. In another related development, vandalism of Ogoaji-Akuru 330 KB line was
reported on 21 October 2024, causing threatening of the lines. Trail closure failed and
patrol rebuilt damaged conductors due to vandalism.
“This compounded the transmission of war power to the Northern Corridor and these lines
serve as link between north and southern area. This outage severely affected the rolling
capacity of the transmission company of Nigeria. The area affected has been secured
with the help of Nigerian Army and concerted efforts is going on on one of the lines
restoration.
“The restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400MW of power in that corridor. TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji – Apir on or by Sunday 3rd November, 2024.
“This will avail TCN to wheel substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano. Conclusively, TCN is working with ONSA for security of personnel and site on Shiroro – Mando 330kV SC lines for commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in this axis”, the MD stated.
