The Minister for Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has instructed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other relevant agencies within the ministry to immediately begin implementing the recommendations of the inter-agency committee formed to address the recurring grid collapses in the power sector.
This decision follows the TCN’s appeal for understanding among Nigerians, which acknowledges the risk of occasional outages while grid repairs begin.
The Minister issued the instruction after the TCN reported a national grid disturbance at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The disturbance was produced by a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
Hon. Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, cited the Minister as saying that all relevant authorities must prepare for the prompt implementation of the committee’s recommendations, which were submitted on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
“The recommendations of the committee are far-reaching and will proffer lasting solutions to the incessant power grid collapses that we have embarrassingly witnessed in the country in the immediate and long term”, Bolaji said.
In the meantime, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reassured consumers that efforts are being intensified to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.
A statement released on Thursday by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, confirmed that the agency is actively working towards the full and immediate implementation of the recommendations put forward by the inter-agency committee. The aim is to safeguard Nigeria from the ongoing grid collapses.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) desires to advise the public that at about 11:29 a.m. this morning, the national grid witnessed a disturbance caused by a rapid increase in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz. Recovery efforts commenced immediately, and the Abuja Axis was restored in minutes. Recovery is still underway.
“The frequency spike was caused by problems at one of TCN’s substations, which had to be turned off to avoid further troubles.
“In addition, TCN is presently working on extensive repairs to numerous critical transmission lines and substations. This includes the 330kV transmission line along the Shiroro-Mando axis, extensive enhancements to the Jebba Transmission Substation, and the restoration of the second 330kV transmission line between Ugwuaji and Apir.
“Furthermore, following the filing of the investigative report on the reasons of prior grid breakdowns, TCN has begun to repair the identified deficiencies in the transmission system. Efforts are being made to remedy the weaknesses identified in the report and improve the grid’s overall stability and resilience. These efforts include both technical upgrades and strategic interventions based on the committee’s recommendations”, Mba said, adding that “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. TCN acknowledges the impact of these disruptions and respectfully requests the public’s understanding and patience during this difficult time.
“The corporation is still committed to enhancing the reliability of electricity supply, understanding the critical role that stable power plays in Nigeria’s socioeconomic development. TCN assures the public that all required actions are being implemented to preserve the grid’s long-term stability, in accordance with the investigation committee’s recommendations, while also addressing infrastructure damage such as vandalised transmission lines.”