Collapsed tower in Gusau threatens power supply in Sokoto, 2 others

A collapsed transmission tower between Funtua in Katsina state and Gusau is threatening stable electricity supply across Sokoto and two other states.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in a statement yesterday said the collapsed 132kv Tower No. 307 caused capacity constraints on its Birnin-Kebbi-Sokoto-TalataMafara-Gusau transmission line.

The spokesperson of TCN, Ndidi Mbah said as a remedial measure however, the company has started back-feeding distribution load centres in Gusau through the 80 megawatts (MW) transmission line.

It said the combined capacity of Sokoto, Talata-Mafara and Gusau is much higher than the maximum capacity the line is built to carry. This has resulted in overload of the line and reduced bulk electricity to Sokoto, BirninKebbi and Gusau.

TCN said it had already mobilized a contractor to start erecting a new tower which would be completed in two weeks.

The company further stated that under the on-going Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme ( TREP), procurement for the KainjiBirnin Kebbi-Sokoto 330kv transmission line and a 330kv substation in Sokoto will soon commence,

It said the procurement of high capacity conductors for the re-conductoring Birnin Kebbi-Sokoto and KadunaZaria-Funtua-Gusau 132kV Transmission lines that will double the current capacity of the lines has also reached advanced stage.