By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored bulk power supply to its Birnin Kebbi Substation, and, by extension, power supply to Kebbi and its environs.
In a statement signed by the general manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN said it resumed transmission through the substation on Friday, 29 September, 2023 at about 11.33 am courtesy of the joint effort of its team of substation, lines, and PC&M engineers from its various regions across the country.
SUMMIT POST NEWS reports that fire broke out in the Birnin Kebbi substation at midnight on Thursday, 14 September, 2023, throwing Kebbi and Sokoto States and environs, which fall under Kaduna Electric’s franchise area, into darkness, few hours after the national grid collapse occasioned by another fire incident on the Jebba/Kainji electrical installations, leading to total blackout across the country, was fixed by TCN.
The MD/CEO of TCN, Engr Sule Abdulaziz, who in a statement
expressed his deep concern about the unfortunate incidents, believed by some stakeholders to be handiworks of saboteurs, promised quick restoration.
Consequently, bulk supply to Sokoto through the Talata Mafara Substation was restored hours after, as efforts to back-feed Kebbi State in the mean time, while finding permanent solution to the problem, were on.
“The team of engineers who also conveyed the needed material from the regional stores to Birnin Kebbi Substation worked tirelessly round the clock to restore supply through the 150MVA and 60MVA transformers unaffected by the fire incident.
“Supply was first restored to Sokoto State through the 132kV Kaduna-Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Talatan Mafara line on the 15th of September 2023 and yesterday, power supply has also been restored to the Birnin Kebbi town and environs.
“Presently, work is ongoing to equally connect the 132kV Birinin Kebbi – Sokoto line that will enable TCN to transmit additional bulk electricity to Sokoto State and its environs.
“It is with a great sense of responsibility that we once again express our deepest appreciation to the government and electricity customers in Kebbi State and environs as well as the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, for their understanding and patience during the period. We also thank all stakeholders for their understanding, support, and prayers throughout the very challenging period
“We remain committed to pursuing the network expansion projects and will continue to work hard to ensure the continued improvement of the nation’s transmission grid,” TCN said.