Vandalism, Grid Disturbance Challenge Nigeria’s Power Transmission
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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has faced significant challenges in recent days, with incidents of vandalism and a temporary grid disturbance impacting power transmission across the country.
On October 18, 2024, TCN reported that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines one and two were vandalized, causing extensive damage. According to the Shiroro Regional office, the first transmission line tripped, followed shortly by the second, as efforts were still ongoing to reclose the first line.
This prompted the urgent mobilization of local vigilantes, who discovered the damaged towers, T133 and T136, with cables severely damaged at multiple points.
“Arrangements are in top gear to deploy the newly procured ’emergency restoration system’ to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged towers,” stated Ndidi Mbah, General Manager (GM), Public Affairs.
TCN has also conducted an aerial survey in collaboration with security operatives due to the area’s vulnerability to banditry, which poses a significant threat to both TCN installations and personnel.
In the interim, TCN engineers have implemented a temporary measure to supply bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions via the 330kV Kaduna–Jos transmission line. The vandalized Shiroro–Kaduna 330kV lines 1 and 2 are crucial for transmitting bulk power to parts of the North West region, with each line capable of carrying 600MW.
“The vandalism of the towers and transmission lines presents a significant challenge to bulk power transmission in that axis. We are, however, committed to re-erecting the towers and restringing the transmission lines to restore bulk power transmission through both 330kV power transmission lines,” Mbah added.
In a separate incident, the national grid experienced a temporary disturbance at approximately 8:15 am on October 19, 2024.
According to a report from the National Control Centre (NCC), the bus section of a current transformer exploded at the 330kV Jebba Transmission Substation. The protection system was activated, promptly opening the busbars to curtail the explosion and prevent a fire outbreak and further damage to adjacent equipment. This action led to a temporary disturbance on the grid.
“Our engineers at Jebba have successfully carried out switchings, isolating the faulty current transformer. They have equally reconfigured the busbar arrangement, restoring power supply to the station and other parts of the grid,” Mbah confirmed.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by TCN in maintaining and securing Nigeria’s power transmission infrastructure.
The company said it remains committed to addressing these issues promptly to ensure stable and reliable power supply across the country.
