Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that instability in the national grid is expected to continue as maintenance and repairs are underway following another power shutdown.
Gatekeepers News reports that on Thursday, the national grid experienced a collapse for the second time within 72 hours, resulting in widespread power outages across the country.
In a statement, Ndidi Mbah, the general manager of public affairs at TCN, provided details about the incident, noting that the grid experienced a disturbance around 11:29 am. This disruption was due to a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
Mbah explained that the frequency surge was linked to complications at one of the substations, which had to be shut down to avert further issues.
“Recovery efforts began immediately, and the Abuja Axis was restored within 28 minutes. Recovery is still ongoing,” the statement reads.
Mbah said the TCN is actively engaged in significant repair work on several critical transmission lines and substations.
The facilities, according to Mbah, include the 330kV transmission lines along the Shiroro-Mando axis, major upgrades at the Jebba transmission substation, and the restoration of the second Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV transmission line.
The public affairs manager said following the submission of the investigative report on the causes of previous grid collapses, TCN has started working to address the identified weaknesses in the transmission system.
Mbah said efforts are afoot to address the gaps outlined in the report and to strengthen the grid’s overall stability and resilience.
“These efforts include both technical upgrades and strategic interventions based on the committee’s recommendations,” she added.
“However, it is important to note that while these repairs and improvements are underway, some degree of instability in the system is likely to persist until all major works are completed.”
Mbah, acknowledging the impact of the disruptions, appealed to the public for their patience and understanding during the challenging period.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving the reliability of electricity supply, acknowledging the crucial role that stable power has in supporting Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.
The TCN official also assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to secure the grid’s long-term stability, following the investigative committee’s recommendations.
She added that the transmission company is addressing infrastructure issues, including damage from vandalised transmission lines.
