The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has explained that the
power black out and load shedding in parts of Abuja metropolis, including
Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, Karu Keffi and environs was as a result of a fire
incident which gutted the 60MVA, 132/33KV power transformer and the associated
33KV switch gears at the TCN substation, Apo. According to TCN, the Apo station
was gutted by fire ignited by direct lightening strike on Tuesday, September
16. In a statement by TCN management, signed by the company’s Assistant General
Manager (Public Affairs), Mr. Dave Ifabiyi, the fire started after an explosive
sound from the 132/33KV switchyard at about 2.40pm. He explained that the relay
room and cable trenches within the control room were engulfed in smoke while
engineers quickly disconnected the substation from the transmission grid to
forestall further damage to other equipment, while the fire was successfully
extinguished by the fire service.
Ifabiyi disclosed that TCN’s quick response engineering team has
since been working assiduously to isolate the affected 60MVA, 330/123KV power
transformer and replace cables of the 2x45MVA power transformers in the
substation, so that service can be restored through the 2x45MVA and 1x100MVA
power transformers not affected by the fire. He explained further that as soon
as isolation work is completed and the cables replaced, normal transmission of
electricity to distribution load centers in Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe,
International airport as well as Karu business units would commence. The
company also said that prior to the fire incident, the maximum distribution
load required by the distribution business units that take supply from the Apo
substation was 46MW.
Sun Newspaper
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