The new load rotation implemented by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc last month has worsened the blackout being experienced by residents of Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe and others.
IBEDC said in a statement that its attention had been drawn to a letter made public from its Ibafo consumer forum on the rejection of the new load shedding formula implemented from March 15, 2021.
It said, “The supply to Ibafo originates from a 33kV feeder, which radiates supply from Oke-Aro Transmission Station through Magboro, Makogi, Oke-Afa to Ibafo, Asese, Orimerunmu, Pakuro, Lotto and Mowe axis and environs.
“The current load demand for the axis for an equitable power supply is 35 megawatts, but the allocated energy from Oke-Aro TCN is 13MW, which was the initial arrangement based on how sparsely populated the communities were few years ago.”
The distribution company said the increase in population had created attendant rise in energy consumption, making the 13MW grossly inadequate.
The statement said, “As part of efforts to ensure an even distribution of power supply to the communities, IBEDC management had met and written to the Transmission Company of Nigeria requesting for increase in load allocation to the axis. The TCN management however explained that all the transformers at the station were already overloaded, but that plans were in place for the upgrade of the substation.
“IBEDC then went further to request for diversion of excess load on another feeder to Ibafo 33kV feeder; the request is yet to be granted.”
The DisCo said it had commenced radiating another feeder from the recently commissioned Kobape Transmission Station in Abeokuta to Mowe/Ibafo to relieve the load demand of the area.
“That is expected to take effect later on in the year,” the power firm added.
“The feeder is overloaded, and it trips frequently. Frequent tripping of feeders shortens the life of circuit breakers, and this necessitated the need for load shedding methodology that will promote an amicable and mutual benefits to our substation equipment and all the communities concerned,” it said.
According to IBEDC, the decision to review the three shifts load shedding management to four, for fair and quality power supply was duly discussed with the community leaders, and agreed upon by the leaders before its commencement.
It said, “IBEDC as a customer centric company that has the interest of her customers at heart apologises for all the inconveniences this new load shedding arrangement might have caused our esteemed customers in Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe and environs.
“The arrangement is only temporary as IBEDC and the Transmission Company of Nigeria are working assiduously to proffer a lasting solution to power supply problem in the area.”