KEY POINTS
- TCN declares force majeure after tower T367 collapses.
- Sokoto power supply continues through an alternative route.
- Repairs are underway to restore the 330kV line.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has declared force majeure on the 330kV Kainji-Birnin Kebbi transmission line after one of its towers collapsed during heavy winds and rainstorms.
The affected tower, identified as T367, went down during severe weather, disrupting bulk electricity transmission along the corridor and raising concerns over the reliability of power supply to parts of northwestern Nigeria.
TCN said the incident occurred after the transmission line tripped at about 10:44 p.m. on September 7. An attempt to restore the line through reclosure at about 11:07 p.m. was unsuccessful.
Following the failed restoration attempt, linesmen from TCN’s Birnin Kebbi sub-region were deployed to inspect the transmission corridor.
A patrol conducted on Tuesday confirmed that tower T367 had collapsed.
According to TCN, the damage was caused by natural weather conditions, particularly the heavy winds and rainstorms recorded in the area. The company said the incident has affected bulk power transmission through the corridor.
The declaration of force majeure allows TCN to formally recognize that the disruption resulted from circumstances beyond its control, in this case severe weather that damaged critical transmission infrastructure.
Alternative route keeps Sokoto supplied
Despite the collapse, TCN said electricity supply to Sokoto has been maintained through an alternative transmission route.
The alternative arrangement supplies power from the Kaduna-Mando axis through the 132kV Zaria-Funtua-Gusau line before feeding into Talata Mafara and ultimately Sokoto.
The arrangement is helping to limit the immediate impact of the damaged 330kV line, although the loss of a major transmission asset could place additional pressure on the alternative network while repairs continue.
TCN’s ability to maintain supply through another route also reduces the risk of a wider electricity disruption in the affected areas.
The transmission company said it has started mobilizing personnel, equipment and other resources to the affected location.
Its immediate priority is to rehabilitate the collapsed tower and restore the 330kV Kainji-Birnin Kebbi line as quickly as possible.
The company also apologized to electricity consumers for the inconvenience caused by the incident, assuring them that efforts are underway to return the transmission corridor to normal operation.
The latest incident is the second time TCN has declared force majeure in the area within a short period.
On August 28, the company announced a similar declaration following the collapse of three towers on the 132kV Birnin Kebbi-Niamey transmission line.
The repeated damage to transmission towers highlights the vulnerability of electricity infrastructure to extreme weather conditions and the importance of maintaining alternative transmission routes.
