High Voltage: National grid suffers another collapse as TCN blames DisCos

NIGERIANS were on Sunday, thrown into darkness following a system collapse which affected power supply to electricity consumers.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had in a terse statement issued by its Spokesperson Oyebode Fadipe confirmed the outage which according to him occurred at about 9:10 am.

He said this led to the loss of supply to all customers within its franchise.

“Please be informed that as a result of a grid system outage at 09:10 am, there has been loss of electricity supply in the entire coverage area of AEDC,” it reads.

Other DisCos such as the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) were also affected.

This is coming a few weeks after the country suffered multiple collapses which led to the longest to be restored.

According to the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Usman Mohammed, the incessant collapses were caused by sudden load-dropping the DisCos as a result of rainfall as well as lack of a spinning reserve among other factors.

However, in a statement issued by the General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN said the current collapse was caused by high voltage following a massive drop of load by the electricity distribution companies.

According to the company, the high voltage also caused a fire incident in the 75MXreactor in the Benin Substation, Sapele Road in Benin City, Edo State.

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It explained that the massive load drop led to high voltage in the system, which shattered the lightning arrester in close proximity to the 75MX Reactor in Benin Substation.

“The shattered lightning arrester porcelain hit the reactor bushing causing a further explosion on the reactor resulting in the fire outbreak.

“Restoration of the Grid commenced immediately and as at 1.30pm, bulk power supply to most parts of the nation had been restored,” it added.

While commending efforts and support of the Edo State Government, Benin Electricity Distribution Company as well as the Fire Service in putting out the fire, it said the management has commenced the movement of another reactor to Benin City to replace the burnt reactor and ensure voltage stability in the City as well as prevent a re-occurrence.

“Management would also ensure a review of the entire protection and earthing system nationwide. This is done in addition to the overall upgrading of the system through the TREP program being financed by multi-lateral donors.

“The installation of 3no reactors on the Ikot-Ekpene-Ugwuaji–Jos line has reached an advanced stage. It is expected that once these three reactors are installed and commissioned, the grid would be further stabilised.

“TCN Management wishes to assure Nigerians that it is doing everything possible to modernise, upgrade and stabilise the National Grid,” the statement reads.