By Ediri Ejor & Prince Okafor

THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has increased transmission capacity in its substation, Ejigbo, Lagos, with a new 1x 40MVA 132/33KV mobile transformer, bringing the capacity of the substation to 200MVA from 160MVA.

The station was commissioned by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who was represented by the Minister of State 11, Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji. Suleiman Hassan in Lagos.

The Minister commended TCN’s expansion drive which he said spans the entire nation, adding that the commissioning of a new substation in Ejigbo was laudable, considering the fact that the population in that axis of the state has continued to grow.

Earlier, while welcoming the new Minister of State, the Interim Managing Director (IMD) and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, informed the Minister that the transformer was wholly installed by TCN engineers, whom he said had installed power transformers in some other TCN Sub-Stations in the past few months.

He said that the new 1x40MVA transformer which has already been energised was one out of the three transformers earmarked for the substation.

According to him, works have reached advanced stage in the installation of 2x100MVA 132/33kV power transformers by the Project Monitoring Unit of TCN.

The 2x100MVA would replace the old 2x 30MVA transformers in the station and on completion adds 140MVA transformer capacity to the station, bringing the capacity of the substation to 340MVA.

He explained that the upgrading of the substation would enable TCN transmit more bulk electricity to distribution load centers which would enable them take care of increased power demand in Ejigbo, Jakande Estate, Igando, Ijegun, Ijedodo, Oke-Afa, Idimu, Ikotun, Bolorunpelu, Shasha, Agodo, Egbe, Abaranje, Murtala Mohammed International Airport among others.

‘’TCN wishes to assure Nigerians that it would continue to ensure the sustainability of the current grid stability.

Also, TCN, has attributed a fire outbreak at its transmission substation in Jos, to a conductor snapped which caused oil to gush out of the bushing.

This is coming even as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, attributed power outage in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State to wire cuts, snaps and other safety issues being addressed by the company.

Mbah,  noted in a statement that, at about16:45 hours, Tuesday 12th September 2017, a 1x150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer in its Jos Transmission Substation, caught fire and the inferno completely destroyed the power transformer.

She stated that the fire was eventually put out at about 10pm, adding that, “The fire incident started on the secondary side of the transformer’s blue phase bushing, when a conductor snapped and caused oil to gush out of the bushing.

“This oil caused the fire to intensify engulfing the power transformer. TCN engineers in conjunction with the state fire service worked very hard to put out the fire, which unfortunately burnt down the power transformer.

“During the incident, TCN engineers were able to successfully isolate the burning150MVA, 330/132/33kVpower transformer from other energized parts of the substation to prevent further escalation. As a result of the quick intervention, the second 1x150MVA, 330/132kVpower transformer in the same transmission substation was saved.

“As at 11pm the same day, TCN restored the 330kV Gombe transmission line and the second 150MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer supplying Distribution load centers in Jos simultaneously. To ensure there is no impact on the power supply to Jos; TCN has successfully diverted the 30MW normally supplied from Jos Substation; Gombe Substation now supplies 30MW to Bauchi. The incidence did not cause disruption of power supply to Jos and its environs.’’

However, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC stated in a statement that its outage was due to critical safety issues which could lead to electrocution, loss of lives and properties, if unattended.

It added that the feeder was deliberately shut down from supplying power to the areas after due consultation with the community leaders to enable the company carry out urgent repairs on the affected lines.