Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) commissions four power transformers

In the past few weeks, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully put into operation four power transformers for four different substations. These upgrades are expected to greatly enhance the performance and distribution of electricity. However, it is unfortunate to note that TCN has also reported that its electricity infrastructure has been targeted by vandals for the fifth time since February.

Last week, the Dangora 132/33kV transmission substation received a 63MVA mobile transformer along with its necessary accessories. Once installed, this transformer will increase the substation’s capacity by 50MW. As a result, Kano and Kaduna DisCos will have access to a greater amount of bulk power, which can then be distributed to electricity consumers in those areas.

Several regions are set to benefit from these improvements, including Karaye, Falgore, Ikara, Faki, Tudun Wada, Bagauda, Dakatsalle, Law School, Tiga, Gwarmai, Bebeji, and Garin Mallam.

Additionally, TCN commissioned a 100/125MVA power transformer at its 132/33kV Port Harcourt Main Transmission Substation last week. This newly commissioned transformer has increased the substation’s capacity by 80MW. Furthermore, TCN carried out rehabilitation and expansion work on the 132kV switchyard, which involved the installation of three additional outgoing feeders.

Furthermore, a brand new 150MVA power transformer was commissioned at the 330/132/33kV Jos Transmission Substation. This transformer has added 120MW to the substation’s capacity, allowing for a greater supply of bulk power to be distributed by Jos DisCo to its customers in Jos, Makeri, and the Kafanchan Local Government of Kaduna State.

Lastly, TCN recently commissioned a new 60MVA power transformer at the 132/33kV Potiskum Transmission Substation in its Gombe Sub-Region. This newly commissioned transformer has replaced a 30MVA power transformer, resulting in an additional 48MW being added to the substation’s capacity.

TCN has verified that the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, one of its crucial infrastructure sites, was vandalized on Sunday, marking the fifth such incident since February. The incident occurred at around 9am when the transmission line experienced a trip. Despite attempts by TCN engineers to restore operation, they were unsuccessful. Subsequently, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area in order to identify the fault location. During this process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity alerted TCN linesmen to vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line. TCN personnel confirmed the vandalization of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, with conductors stolen.

This recent attack is part of a series of vandalism incidents reported by TCN, which includes the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line on 26 February. Other incidents involve the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on 23 February, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on 15 February.

Furthermore, on 1 February, tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism. TCN had previously confirmed that vandals destroyed 109 transmission towers over nine months nationwide last year.