TCN: Don’t Blame Us for BEDC’s Inability to Deliver 20-hour Power Supply

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said it’s not responsible for the inability of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to deliver 20 hours of power to its ‘Band A’ customers, contrary to the claim by the Disco.

The company made the rebuttal, following a publication by the Benin Disco blaming the power transportation arm of the power value chain for not being able to fulfil its supply obligation to the premium customers.

It also came after the TCN denied culpability following a similar accusation by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

But the TCN in a statement signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said it was wrong for the Benin Disco to blame it for the challenge.

It said: “For clarity, we note that on April 11, 2024, the Amukpe 33kV feeder tripped at 2:31pm. And was restored by 4.08pm within 1 hour and 54 minutes.

“The cause of the outage, which was clearly under BEDC purview, was an instantaneous earth fault caused by stormy weather, which was restored on trial re-closure after the rain had subsided.

“Still, on April 11, 2024, Effurun 33kV feeder tripped at 12:25 p.m. The cause of the tripping was an earth fault on the outgoing feeder ‘upriser’, also from the BEDC end.

“This is to set the records straight and to appeal that facts be stated as they are for the benefit of all.”

Nigeria’s power sector remains largely problematic due to lack of investment, prolonged illiquidity, obsolete power plants, transmission facilities as well as distribution assets.

For a long time, the country with a population of over 200 million, has depended on just bout 4,500mw of electricity to power homes and businesses.