Widespread Power Outage Hits Anambra, Enugu After Explosion in TCN Facility
- An explosion at a TCN station in Awada, Anambra, caused a widespread blackout across Anambra State and the Oji River in Enugu
- The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) confirmed the outage, assuring customers that TCN engineers are working to restore supply
- In a related incident, two suspects were arrested in Katsina for allegedly vandalising components of a TCN 132kV high-tension tower
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
Residents of Anambra State and parts of Enugu experienced a major blackout on Wednesday after an explosion occurred at a Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facility in Awada, Anambra.
The incident, which happened around 2:34 a.m., disrupted electricity supply across the state and in Oji River, Enugu State.
Source: UGC
Confirming the development, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) said in a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, that the outage was a direct result of the explosion.
“The management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC wishes to inform its esteemed customers in Anambra State and Oji River, Enugu State, that the power outage being experienced is due to an explosion at the Transmission Company of Nigeria Station at Awada, which occurred today (Wednesday) at about 2:34 a.m.”
He noted that TCN engineers were already on-site working to restore power and appealed to customers for patience while repairs are underway.
The cause of the explosion is still unknown, and TCN has yet to issue an official statement.
Meanwhile, in a separate case in Katsina State, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested two men suspected of vandalising a 132kV high-tension tower belonging to TCN.
The suspects, Hambali Abubakar (25) and Salisu Abubakar (18), were allegedly caught with 24 dismantled components from Tower T-148 of the 132kV Katsina-Daura line along Yar Riga/Sile Uku Village.
ESERC, EEDC clash over electricity tariff cut in Enugu
There has been an ongoing dispute between the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ESERC) and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over recent tariff cut.
On one hand, ESERC argues that the reduction is necessary to protect consumers in Enugu State from what it considers excessive charges, especially given the irregular supply that residents often endure.
On the other hand, EEDC insists that the tariff structure is guided by national regulations and cost-reflective principles, warning that arbitrary cuts could undermine investments and service delivery.
The disagreement prompted interventions from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator, with the National Independent System Operator stepping in to prevent instability in the national market due to the state-level dispute.
Source: Getty Images
States set to buy power directly from GenCos
In related news, Legit.ng reported that some states in Nigeria have expressed their readiness to start generating power for their people.
The decision follows the over 200% increase in the electricity tariff approved by the federal government through the NERC.
Many Nigerians believe this would help find a lasting solution to the country's electricity problems as the new law replaced the 2005 Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act and promoted investments from the private sector.
Source: Legit.ng
