TCN says China-made equipment delays Amuwo substation rehabilitation in Lagos

The rehabilitation of the Amuwo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Lagos is currently held up due to equipment that is being manufactured in China, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Engr. Mrs Funmi Ikoko, Acting General Manager of TCN's Lagos Region, revealed this during a fact-finding tour of TCN facilities in Lagos with the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) team.

The delay has caused concerns over a potential four-month power disruption for residents and businesses in the Amuwo-Odofin area. Ikoko stated that the rehabilitation is approximately 80% complete, but the contractors are waiting for the delivery of contactors, relays, and other essential equipment from China. The delay stems from earlier difficulties in obtaining the necessary outage for contractors to carry out the rehabilitation work.

TCN resorted to deploying mobile transformers and diverting loads to Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electric to maintain electricity supply during the outage. LASERC team members expressed concerns about Lagos' electricity network's capacity to absorb and distribute power, emphasizing the need for improvements in both transmission and distribution infrastructure.