The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that ongoing power outages in parts of Northern Nigeria will continue as security challenges impede repairs on critical transmission infrastructure. Efforts to restore electricity have faced significant setbacks, and a complete resolution appears distant.
The region has been grappling with the blackout for over four days, following the vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, a vital conduit for bulk electricity supply to northern states. To alleviate the impact, TCN diverted electricity through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line. However, the situation deteriorated further when a tripping incident disrupted this alternative route, exacerbating the power crisis.
Speaking during a public hearing by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator at TCN, acknowledged the limitations of the stopgap measures. While the Ugwuaji-Apir line is designed to transmit up to 750 megawatts (MW), only 350 MW can be safely delivered to key areas, including Kano, Kaduna, and parts of Niger Republic, due to voltage stability issues in Kano.
The Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which could supply a larger volume of electricity, remains out of service due to the security situation in the affected region. According to Engr. Nafisatu, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) advised that the area, where three transmission towers were destroyed, is currently too dangerous to access for repairs.
The TCN's challenges highlight the complex intersection of infrastructure maintenance and security in Nigeria's energy sector. As efforts continue to seek alternative solutions and mitigate the impact of the blackout, the lingering security concerns pose a significant hurdle to achieving a stable power supply in the affected areas.
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