Kilometres of electricity cables were confiscated at the informal settlement
AFP

Nigerians across the country witnessed power outages for almost 10 hours on Thursday after the electricity grid collapsed because of a fire incident.

Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power of Nigeria, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, "At 00:35Hrs this morning, Fire outbreak with explosion sound was observed on Kainji/Jebba 330kV line 2 (Cct K2J) blue phase CVT & Blue phase line Isolator of Kainji/Jebba 330kV line1 was observed burning."

He added, "This led to sharp drops in frequency from 50.29Hz to 49.67 Hz at 0:35:06Hrs."

Minister Adelabu further shared that the department is working towards "speedy restoration," adding that the "fire has been fully arrested and over half of the connections are now up and the rest will be fully restored in no time."

He appreciated everyone who responded or expressed concern regarding the nationwide power failure through different channels and the minister also appreciated the team of engineers for their prompt response to the situation and work done so far.

"Delay in the update was deliberate, so as not to cause panic and to also be able to update on the progress of remedial actions taken so far," he added. "This is to ensure economic and security saboteurs don't take advantage of every situation reported."

Several electricity distribution companies including Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) confirmed the blackout. In fact, EEDC issued a notice on Thursday, titled "Notice of Total System Collapse."

"The EEDC wishes to inform its esteemed customers of a total system collapse which occurred at 12:40 am today, September 14, 2023," it read, as per Punch. "This has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the network."

Due to this, the electricity company disclosed that all interface TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) stations are out of supply and the company is unable to provide service to its customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

It added, "We are on standby, awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre, Osogbo."

Kunle Olubiyo, who serves as the president of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, said that such incidents will continue if the country doesn't find the root cause of such grid collapse.

"As long as we refuse to address the fundamental root causes of system collapse, distortions, instability, and related concerns, the recent feat by TCN shall be a spike or flash in the pan," he wrote on Facebook.

He added, "Particularly, coming at a time when there is low generation, low load dispatch, and low energy utilization. So it might not be out of place to describe the feat (by TCN) as a fluke."

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