Northern power outage: Insecurity delaying repairs of vandalised transmission line – TCN

• TCN says insecurity is the cause of the delay in repairing the vandalised Kaduna-Shiroro transmission line
• It says engineers to be deployed to the site need security support
• Power outage in the northern region has further exposed the challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says insecurity in the northern Nigeria region is delaying the repairs of valdalised Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which caused the recent power outage in the region.

TCN also noted that it is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to repair the vandalised transmission line that led to reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.

This is according to a statement by the TCN, posted on its official X handle on Sunday, October 27, titled, ‘TCN clarifies on efforts to restore bulk power in Northern Nigeria amid security challenges,’ signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah.

The statement noted that the company’s Executive Director (Independent System Operator), Engr (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, at a recently held Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) public hearing, said TCN is making efforts towards restoring power to the affected areas adding that it was unsafe to deploy engineers to the site of vandalisation without security support.

It read, “Engr (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, in her address at the hearing, said that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which supplies power to Northern Nigeria, was vandalised by insurgents and in response, TCN has partnered with the National Security Adviser’s office to secure the area, enabling her engineers to work safely on the restoration.

“Engr Ali emphasised that deploying engineers without security support is not feasible, given the risks in the region. She therefore dispelled any suggestion that restoration would be indefinite, stressing that TCN’s focus remains on ensuring an even supply of electricity nationwide and that security arrangements were underway.

“The current outage affecting Northern states for several days now is a result of vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, a critical infrastructure that supplies electricity to the region. Prevailing insecurity in the areas has delayed the immediate repair necessary to restore supply.”

Short-lived respite

The statement added that the company provided a temporary measure by rerouting the bulk power supply through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line that recently developed a fault.

TCN, however, assured of its commitment to overcoming the challenge within the earliest possible time given the importance of electricity in the socioeconomic activities.

It said, “However, as a temporary measure, TCN had rerouted bulk power supply through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line, which recently snapped.

“TCN has been collaborating closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to work with our engineers to access the vandalism site to enable them to effect necessary repairs. This is vital to ensure the safety of lives during the repairs.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming these challenges because we understand the place of electricity in the socio-economic lives of the people and the extreme inconveniences this situation is causing the government and all electricity customers in all the affected areas.”

Nigeria’s power sector is plagued by challenges

The recent power outage in some northern states, which has affected business activities in the region, has further exposed the challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector.  

Despite huge funding, the sector still suffers such challenges as underinvestment, poor and outdated infrastructure and inadequate funding. This has led to shortages in electricity supply, especially with the incessant collapse of the national grid.

In 10 years, the grid has collapsed 105 times, 93 times under President Muhammadu Buhari and 12 times in just 16 months of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In 2024 alone, it has collapsed about nine times, the recent ones being three consecutive times of collapse within one week on October 14, 15 and 19.

Nigeria loses $26bn yearly to electricity shortages –Report

Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Nigeria suffers an estimated annual economic loss of $26 billion due to electricity shortages, according to a report, Africa Trade Barometer, by the Standard Bank.

According to the report, businesses shore up electricity shortages by spending nearly $22 billion annually on off-grid fuel, which leads to increased operational costs.