By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared force majeure on the Oworonshoki 132/33 kilovolt (kV) and Lekki 330/132kV Transmission Substations following flooding triggered by continuous rainfall in Lagos.
TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the declaration became necessary due to the impact of persistent flooding on transmission infrastructure in the state.
Force majeure refers to an extraordinary event that is completely beyond human control and may prevent the fulfilment of certain obligations because of circumstances that cannot reasonably be anticipated or controlled.
According to Mbah, although the Lekki 132kV Transmission Substation remains operational, water is continuously being evacuated from the facility to maintain operations.
She said the Oworonshoki Transmission Substation is currently out of service after floodwater affected two power transformers, identified as TR1-60MVA and TR3-30MVA, which tripped on no load despite efforts to restore them.
“Presently all power protection and control cables of the two power transformers are submerged inside water, and efforts to evacuate the water have proved ineffective as the rain continues to fall. Our engineers are working and doing everything possible to evacuate the flood to enable them test the transformers for restoration.”
TCN expressed regret over the disruption and apologised to customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company receiving electricity supply through the affected substation.
“TCN regrets any inconvenience the incident might have caused the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo)’s customers taking supply from the substation.”
The company said restoration efforts would depend on successful evacuation of floodwater and technical assessment of the affected equipment as work continues to return the facilities to normal operation.
