By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Residents of Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe in Ogun State have lamented the effects of the new load rotation implemented by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc last month.
According to them, it has worsened the blackout being experienced in those areas.
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.
“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 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.
“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,” it said.