By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has warned that the blackout affecting parts of Northern Nigeria will continue due to security challenges that are obstructing repairs on critical transmission lines. Despite attempts to restore electricity through alternative means, the TCN stated that a full resolution of the situation is not forthcoming.
The ongoing blackout, which has persisted for over four days, originated from vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which is essential for delivering bulk electricity to the northern states. Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator at TCN, elaborated during a public hearing held by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that repairs on the Ugwuaji-Apir line would only offer a limited solution to the issue.
While the Ugwuaji-Apir line can carry up to 750 megawatts (MW) of power, it can only safely transmit 350 MW to Kano, Kaduna, and parts of Niger Republic due to voltage stability issues in Kano. The larger Shiroro-Mando line, which provides a greater supply of electricity, remains offline because of insecurity in the area where it was damaged.
Engr. Nafisatu explained that the TCN had received security assessments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which indicated that the site of the destroyed towers is currently inaccessible due to ongoing security threats. Despite having the necessary materials for repairs, TCN cannot proceed until the security situation improves.
At present, the region is sharing 250 MW of electricity with Niger Republic, and once the Ugwuaji-Apir line is restored, the maximum power transmission will still be limited to 350 MW.
During the hearing, NERC Chairman Garba Usman criticized TCN for its inability to implement solutions to prevent equipment failures, particularly transformer explosions that contribute to frequent power outages. He called for stronger protective measures to prevent transformer fires that can disrupt the entire grid.
Additionally, Joy Ogaji, Managing Director of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), revealed that Nigeria has experienced 162 cases of grid collapse from 2013 to the present.
In a related move, the House of Representatives has urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to collaborate with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, and other relevant security agencies to develop and implement a strategic security plan to protect critical power transmission lines from vandals and other criminals. This resolution came after a motion was adopted during Thursday’s plenary session by Rep. Sani Umar Bala, who emphasized that vandalism of transmission lines has caused frequent power outages that negatively impact socio-economic activities, business operations, and the overall quality of life, imposing significant financial burdens on the government.
In response to the ongoing challenges, the House adopted the motion and urged the federal government to consider deploying technology-driven surveillance systems, including drones and CCTV cameras, to monitor transmission lines in vulnerable areas. Earlier, it was reported that with the pace of repairs on the faulty 330 kV line by the TCN team, there was optimism that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the work may be completed by Thursday, potentially restoring power supply to Kaduna State.
