Northern outage: TCN discovers fault, commences repair

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced work on the faulty Ugwuaji – Apir 330kV Double Circuit transmission line.

According to the TCN, it discovered the fault around 5 pm in the Igumale area of Benue State.

The TCN said the “fault area of the transmission line, which measures about one span, was found to be a snapped 330kV transmission line located in the swampy forest of Igumale.”

“Having made the discovery earlier in the evening of today, arrangements are
already ongoing to mobilise equipment and materials that would be moved to the site of the incident to enable TCN to commence repair works,” it said late Wednesday.

“Due to the difficult and swampy nature of the terrain, TCN would require to move a bulldozer and other materials for the repair works from the Enugu Regional office of TCN to the site of the incident. A Hiab vehicle would also be moved to Igumale to help TCN properly tension the transmission line.”

The tripping of the transmission line caused power outages across the North East and North West and parts of the North Central regions of the nation.

According to the TCN, attempts by its teams to locate the “forced outages were unsuccessful” until Wednesday evening.

“TCN is committed to promptly addressing the situation and is urgently organizing the necessary materials for the repair work,” the agency said.

“We appreciate the patience of the government and electricity customers in the affected states. Please bear with us.”