Why Blackout Will Persist In The North - TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has stated that the ongoing power outages in the Northern region of the country will continue because of the insecurity issues which have prevented critical repairs on major transmission lines.

Despite efforts to restore power via alternative routes, the TCN warns that a full resolution is unlikely in the near term.

The blackout, ongoing for over four days, began with the vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which supplies power to several northern states. In an attempt to alleviate the impact, TCN diverted electricity through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit line. However, a tripping incident on this alternative line has further complicated the situation.

Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator at TCN, informed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that the Ugwuaji-Apir line could transmit up to 750 megawatts (MW) but is limited to 350 MW to northern regions like Kano and Kaduna due to voltage stability issues. Meanwhile, the Shiroro-Mando line remains out of service, as security risks have made it inaccessible despite having repair materials ready.

The situation has prompted strong criticism from NERC Chairman Garba Usman, who called for better protective measures against transformer explosions that disrupt the grid. Meanwhile, APGC Managing Director Joy Ogaji highlighted that Nigeria has experienced 162 grid collapses since 2013, calling for greater resilience in the power infrastructure.

In response, the House of Representatives urged the National Security Adviser’s office to work with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, and other agencies to create a security plan to protect vital transmission lines. Rep. Sani Umar Bala, who introduced the motion, advocated for tech-driven surveillance, including drones and CCTV, to monitor and safeguard these vulnerable sites from vandalism, noting that power outages are severely impacting businesses, daily life, and the economy.