The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed recent power disruptions in Lagos and other parts of the country to the tripping of specific transmission lines, countering rumors of a national grid collapse.
In a statement issued on Saturday, TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah emphasized that the national grid remained stable and operational throughout the day.
Cause of Power Fluctuations
The disruptions were traced to the tripping of two key transmission lines: Osogbo-Ihovbor and Benin-Omotosho. These incidents disrupted operations at major power plants, including Egbin, Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Geregu, and Paras power stations, which serve the Lagos axis.
Mbah explained that the Osogbo-Ihovbor line tripped at around 1:41 PM, triggering a cascading effect that caused the Benin-Omotosho line to trip as well. Prior to the incident, grid generation was at 4,335.63 MW. The tripping resulted in a temporary drop in generation to 2,573.23 MW.
“It is important to clarify that this incident did not constitute a grid collapse,” Mbah stated, adding that power was quickly restored to most affected areas.
Restoration Efforts
By Saturday evening, power generation had largely stabilized, with the exception of the Benin-Omotosho 330kV line, which was still undergoing restoration. TCN assured that technical teams were actively addressing the issue to restore full functionality.
“Earlier today, the Osogbo-Ihovbor line tripped, followed by the Benin-Omotosho line. These disruptions affected bulk power supply to the Lagos area,” Mbah noted.
Commitment to Grid Stability
TCN reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening the transmission grid to minimize such occurrences. Mbah highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure upgrades and preventive measures to improve the grid’s resilience and ensure stable power delivery.
Addressing Rumors and Challenges
The company also dismissed claims by some media outlets that the outages were caused by a national grid collapse. “The national grid did not experience any collapse today, contrary to the widely circulated misinformation,” TCN clarified.
Nigeria’s power sector continues to grapple with challenges such as aging infrastructure and limited generation capacity. Transmission lines often face significant strain, leading to occasional disruptions.
TCN is actively pursuing grid expansion projects to increase capacity and enhance system reliability as part of a broader effort to meet the country’s growing electricity demand.]