Updated: TCN clarifies reports on grid collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has debunked reports of a national grid collapse, clarifying that the recent power outage was due to a line tripping incident.

In a statement titled “Benin-Omotosho Line Tripping, Not System Collapse”, the TCN explained that the disruption, initially mistaken by some media outlets as a national grid failure, was caused by a tripping along the Benin-Omotosho transmission line.

This incident resulted in power outages in certain areas, leading to reports of widespread blackouts affecting households and businesses.

The TCN reassured the public that efforts are underway to address the issue and restore normalcy to the affected areas. It also emphasized that the incident was not a total grid collapse but a localized technical issue.

It said: “TCN hereby states that the nation’s grid did not experience any collapse today, contrary to the widely-published misinformation in the media.

“Earlier today, at about 13.41 hours (1:41 p.m.), the Oshogbo-Ihovbor line tripped, followed by the tripping of the Benin- Omotosho line.

“This consequently affected bulk supply to only Lagos axis alone.

“It is important to clarify that at about 13Hrs, today, just before the tripping, total generation on the grid was 4, 335.63MW.

After the tripping, however, generation was 2,573.23MW, showing clearly that the grid did not experience a collapse.

“The transmission line tripping affected Egbin, Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Geregu and Paras. “But these has all been restored except for the Benin-Omotosho 330KV line whose restoration is ongoing.

“As TCN continues to work hard to put in place a robust transmission grid in spite of prevailing challenges, it is imperative that we understand the negative impact of deliberately misinforming the public and the value of disseminating true and verifiable facts.”