By Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Tuesday gave a hint that the federal government is proposing the establishment of a super grid to curb the rising cases of grid collapses in the country.
This is just as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) explained that insecurity delayed power restoration to the northern part of the country, which has been in darkness due to the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line that supplied electricity to the north.
Adelabu stated this while addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Abuja, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has given a nod to the establishment of a super grid to tackle the rising cases of grid collapses.
Recall that two towers along Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines were vandalised a few days ago, leading to the destruction of parts of both transmission lines.
The new attack has been attributed to the activities of bandits operating around the Shiroro and its neighbouring communities in recent times.
Adelabu, who admitted that the existing grid is weak and obsolete, said the memo for the establishment of the new super grid is before the president.
He said the super grid if established would serve as a backup to the existing grid, adding that their investors are on the ground to finance the project.
“There is a memo with the President now, who is giving us full support about the establishment of the western and eastern super grid. Given the weakness, the dilapidation, and the obsolescence of the existing grid, we believe that we need a backup grid that will serve as a failover option to the existing grid.
“If anything happens to the existing grid, there will be a backup option. There will be a failover option, which is an alternative route of transmitting power. This is likened to having an expressway, just a single line leading to a particular destination.
“If there is a breakdown of the disturbance on that single lane, it's a problem. There are no alternatives. But once you have an alternative, you just redirect your routes and you get your destination as planned.
“If you have this super grid, which is what exists in advanced countries, to reduce the absolute reliance on the single national grid. And this is receiving support from Mr. President.
“When we have this aspect of approval, we go to the Federal Executive Council and get the approval and we start this. And we've got investors and financiers for this project. And that will bring an end to grid disturbances and grid collapse’’, he said.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz explained that insecurity was responsible for the slow pace of power restoration to the north following the power disruption in the region,
Despite the insecurity challenges, he noted that power would be restored in affected areas soon, adding that the Nigerian Army had secured affected areas.
On the power restoration effort, he added: “Arrangements were made to use the local group to escort our engineers in the night to effect repairs to evade the bandits in the location.
“Unfortunately, we did not succeed because the bandits got wind of our intentions and laid siege to the area. Minimum supply was maintained to the North-West corridor through the second circuit until 13th October, 2024 when the second line tripped and failed to stay on trial reclosure.
“Local vigilantes were again engaged to comb the area but could only access part of the safe area. Hence, TCN solicited the support of the Nigeria Air Force, Kaduna for unmanned aerial surveillance on 17th October 2024 and the impacted towers were identified. They were four (4) in number with 3 collapsed and 1 number twisted.
“In a related development, vandalism of Ugwuaji - Apir 330kV lines was reported on 21st October 2024 causing tripping of the lines.
“Trial reclosure failed, and patrol revealed damaged conductors due to vandalism. This compounded the transmission of bulk power to the Northern corridor as these lines serve as the link between Northern and Southern areas. This outage severely affected the wheeling capacity of TCN.
“The area affected has been secured with the help of Nigerian Army and a concerted effort is ongoing on one of the lines for restoration.
Restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400MW of power in that corridor.
“Also TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji – Apir on or by Sunday 3rd November, 2024. This will allow TCN to wheel a substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano.
“Conclusively, TCN is working with ONSA for the security of personnel and site on Shiroro - Mando 330kV SC lines for commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in this axis’’.
