Power grid: Current upgrade of infrastructure to prevent frequent collapse will take two years — TCN MD

The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz has revealed that upgrades of the infrastructure causing the frequent power grid collapse will be completed in two years.

The TCN MD made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program in response to the power grid collapse that has happened up to three times this year causing hardship to Nigerians.

Speaking on the show, Abdulaziz attributed the recurrent grid failures to the outdated infrastructure, some of which have been in place for over 50 years.

“Presently, we are doing the scatter system for the whole network and it is funded by the World Bank, and the project will take two years to be completed, and now, we have done 70 percent of the project.

“Almost a month ago, we were at Gwagwalada (in Abuja) with the World Bank where we celebrated the project. It is 70 percent completed. Once we have the scatter system, it will reduce the frequency of getting system disturbances.

“We are trying to upgrade all our transmission lines,” he said, adding that though the government might not have enough money for the project, the TCN has been working in partnership with private companies to mobilise funds.

“The honourable minister is now working with the presidency to have that approval. This is what we call the super grid.

“By the time we have it, even if there is a fault in one transmission line, you can switch to the one so that we have an alternative but now, the type of grid we have, once we have a problem with the line, you have no other line to switch on to,” he said.

The TCN Managing Director further emphasised the need for ongoing investment in critical electricity generation and transmission infrastructure.

He explained that the rising costs of electricity reflect the challenges of power production, noting that Nigerians in Band A reportedly enjoy 24-hour electricity..