The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has moved closer to restoring the 330kV Kainji-Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line, 16 days after the line tripped following the collapse of Tower T367 in Yauri, Kebbi State.
THE WHISTLER recalls that the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi line tripped at 10:44 p.m. on September 7, while a trial reclosure attempt at 11:07 p.m. failed.
Following the incident, TCN declared force majeure on the transmission line and deployed linesmen from its Birnin Kebbi sub-region to conduct a fault-finding patrol along the corridor.
The patrol team subsequently discovered that Tower T367 had collapsed in Yauri.
TCN attributed the collapse, based on preliminary findings, to heavy winds and rainstorms in the area.
The incident disrupted bulk electricity transmission through the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi corridor, prompting the ongoing restoration effort.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, TCN said that it had dismantled and decommissioned the collapsed tower, while engineers had aligned and prepared the conductors and skywire for the next phase of the restoration.
The company said an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower had also been moved to the affected location and was ready for installation.
According to TCN, the installation of the ERS tower would be followed by cable stringing and other associated works required to restore the transmission line.
“Significant progress has been recorded at the affected location in Yauri, where restoration activities are being carried out,” TCN said.
The company said its engineers and technical personnel remained at the site and were working to complete the restoration as quickly as possible.
TCN said restoring the line would allow normal bulk electricity transmission to resume through the affected corridor.
It also thanked electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident for their patience and understanding.
TCN assured them that it was deploying all necessary resources to restore the line and normal bulk power transmission.
