The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that a fire outbreak at the Egbin Power Plc on Tuesday morning caused major disruptions to the electricity supply in several parts of Lagos and adjoining areas.
In a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, the company apologised to affected distribution companies and customers, assuring the public of swift restoration efforts.
How the Incident Happened
The fire broke out at approximately 6:30 a.m. on August 5, 2025, damaging a 150MVA power transformer owned by TCN at its Egbin Transmission Substation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated from a faulty 33kV instrument transformer (CT/VT) installed by Egbin Power Plc. The flames spread rapidly, severely damaging the TCN transformer and causing an oil leak after a tear developed in the transformer’s main tank.
Impact on Power Supply
As a direct consequence of the incident, bulk electricity supply to the Ikorodu and Odogunyan 132/33 kV transmission substations, which feed power to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), has been significantly reduced.
The fire also affected power lines on the 132kV network serving:
- Sagamu Line 1
- Sagamu Line 2
- Maryland Line 2
These disruptions have triggered load-shedding across all impacted areas.
At the time of the fire, the substation was handling a 47 MW load, which has now been rerouted to a second 150 MVA transformer at the site. However, this backup transformer is currently operating under strain, resulting in a temporary capacity deficit.
TCN’s Response and Next Steps
TCN has already mobilised teams to source a replacement transformer and restore full capacity as quickly as possible. The company has also alerted IKEDC and EKEDC to implement load management measures to minimise the impact on customers during the repair period.
“We regret the inconvenience caused and assure all stakeholders that restoration of full supply is our top priority,” the statement read.
