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POWER OUTAGE:Blackout Loom in Nigeria, as National Grid is Shut Down by Electricity Unions

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 3rd, 2024.

POWER OUTAGE:Blackout Loom in Nigeria, as National Grid is Shut Down by Electricity Unions

PRESS RELEASE

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announces that the Labour Union has intentionally shut down the national grid, causing a nationwide blackout. The shutdown occurred at approximately 2:19 a.m. on June 3, 2024.

Earlier, at around 1:15 a.m., the Benin Transmission Operator under TCN’s Independent System Operations unit reported that union members forcefully removed all operators from the control room, injuring some staff who resisted. This led to the Benin Area Control Center being brought to a complete halt without any supervision.

Several other transmission substations, including those in Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo, were also shut down by the Labour Union. Additionally, some transmission lines were deactivated due to the union’s actions.

On the power generation front, various generating units were forced to shut down. For example, the Jebba Generating Station had to close one of its units, and three others in the same station shut down due to high frequency, causing system instability. This instability ultimately resulted in the national grid shutting down at 2:19 a.m.

Efforts to restore the grid began around 3:23 a.m., with TCN using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to supply electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. However, the Labour Union continues to obstruct these recovery efforts nationwide.

TCN is committed to stabilizing the grid to resume normal bulk electricity transmission to distribution centers across the country.

Ndidi Mbah
GM, Public Affairs
June 3, 2024