Lagos Braces for Power Disruptions as TCN Begins 25-Day Grid Upgrade

Lagos, Nigeria – Residents and businesses in Lagos State should prepare for intermittent power outages over the next three weeks as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) embarks on a crucial infrastructure upgrade project.

Critical Maintenance Schedule

The national transmission operator announced through its official X (formerly Twitter) account that maintenance work on the Omotosho–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line will run from July 28 to August 21, 2025. Daily operations are scheduled between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm during this period.

Technical Details of the Upgrade

The approved project involves installing an Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fiber cable, a critical component for the full implementation of Nigeria’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This advanced monitoring technology will enable real-time management of the national power grid, significantly improving reliability and response times to outages.

“The SCADA system represents a major leap forward in our grid management capabilities,” stated TCN in its announcement. “While this essential work may cause temporary inconveniences, the long-term benefits for power stability across Lagos and Nigeria cannot be overstated.”

Impact on Electricity Supply

While TCN has assured residents that crews will restore the transmission line after each day’s work and maintain other operational circuits, the company warned that “intermittent outages” and load shedding are inevitable during the maintenance window.

DisCo Responses

Lagos’s two electricity distribution companies have proactively notified their customers about the expected disruptions:

• Ikeja Electric cautioned customers about “intermittent power supply and load shedding across our network” in a public notice.
• Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) issued similar advisories, noting impacts would be felt “across our network coverage” during the daily maintenance hours.

Minimizing Disruption

TCN emphasized several measures to reduce the upgrade’s impact:

• Strict adherence to the 8 am – 5 pm work window
• Daily restoration of the transmission line
• Maintenance of alternative circuits where possible

Energy experts suggest Lagos residents and businesses consider temporary backup power solutions during this period, particularly for critical operations.

Regulatory Approvals

The project has received necessary approvals from both the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the National Independent System Operator (NISO), underscoring its importance to Nigeria’s power infrastructure modernization efforts.

This upgrade follows other recent power sector initiatives across Nigeria, including electricity projects in Delta State aimed at improving power reliability and supporting economic growth.

Looking Ahead

While the 25-day maintenance period may pose challenges for Lagos’s vibrant economy, energy analysts view the SCADA system implementation as a critical step toward solving Nigeria’s chronic power problems. The real-time monitoring capabilities will enable faster fault detection and more efficient grid management nationwide.

TCN has committed to providing regular updates throughout the project duration and encourages affected customers to contact their respective distribution companies for specific information about outages in their areas.

Full credit to the original publisher: BusinessDay – Source link