Four reasons TCN may not resolve blackout in Northern Nigeria soon
The ongoing blackout affecting parts of Northern Nigeria is primarily due to a combination of security challenges and technical failures within the electricity transmission infrastructure.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has indicated that these issues are preventing timely repairs and restoration of power supply.
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Security challenges
The most significant factor contributing to the persistent blackout is the insecurity in areas where critical transmission lines have been damaged. Specifically, the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which is crucial for supplying bulk electricity to the northern states, has been out of service due to vandalism and subsequent security concerns. The TCN has reported that three towers along this line were destroyed, making it inaccessible for repair teams due to ongoing security threats in the region.
Technical failures
In addition to security issues, there have been technical failures with alternative transmission lines. For instance, after attempts were made to divert power through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line, a tripping incident occurred on this line as well. This resulted in further loss of power supply, compounding the existing outages.
Limited capacity for restoration
Even when repairs can be initiated, there are limitations on how much power can be restored. The Ugwuaji-Apir line can carry up to 750 megawatts (MW), but due to voltage stability issues in Kano, only 350 MW can be safely transmitted to key areas like Kano and Kaduna. This limited capacity means that even if repairs are successful, they may not fully resolve the power supply issues.
Ongoing efforts and challenges
While TCN has materials ready for repairs, they cannot proceed until the security situation improves significantly. The company has received advice from national security agencies indicating that certain areas remain too dangerous for repair teams to operate effectively.
The blackout is therefore likely to persist in Northern Nigeria due to a combination of security challenges hindering access for repairs on critical transmission lines and technical failures that limit power restoration capabilities.
