TCN Says It Now Transmits Only 8,000 Megawatts of Power Out Of 13,000 Being Generated
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it currently transmits only 8,100 megawatts of electricity, out of the 13,000 megawatts being generated by the various power plants in the country.
Blaming the situation partly on aging and weak infrastructure, some of which are 50 years old, the company faces a major challenge.
According to the company, the primary factor contributing to this predicament is the incessant attacks on its facilities by vandals.
These vandals, in some instances, cut off the earth conductor of a big transformer, causing substantial financial losses, with each transformer costing about N800 million.
Addressing newsmen in the Rivers State capital, TCN Manager for Port Harcourt, Dr. Thomas Irugonun, highlighted that 23 power projects were at various stages of completion across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers.
Meanwhile, vandals have not spared power transmission lines supplying electricity to several parts of the federal capital territory.
Read Also:
Power Blackout Looms In Ogun As TCN Moves To Disconnect IBED From Grid
TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah stated that vandals targeted the Gwagwalda-kukwasa-apo 1342 KV transformer line between towers 23 and 25 around 1 am on Sunday, and they carted away conductors from the facilities.
In just two months, Odukpani (Cross River) and Elelenwo in Rivers witnessed the loss of several transmission lines, resulting in a significant financial impact.
Also, A 60mva transformer, which costs about N1.2 billion, and a span of 132kv transmission line, which costs about 330,000 dollars, make the losses unquantifiable and humongous when vandalized.
Unfortunately, the vandalism extends beyond financial loss, as these facilities, worth billions of naira, are melted down to construct gates, pots, and cups—a disturbing trend decried by Inugonum.
Inugonum highlighted that 23 power projects were in progress across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers.
These projects, partly funded by TCN, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, and the World Bank, are executed under the National Integrated Power Project of the Federal Government.
