Flooding Knocks Out Key TCN Substation, Triggers Blackout Across Parts Of Lagos

Ikeja,  Lagos State– Residents and businesses in several parts of Lagos State have been thrown into darkness after severe flooding caused by persistent rainfall crippled critical power infrastructure belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, TCN announced that it had declared force majeure on the Oworonshoki 33KV and Lekki 330/132KV Transmission Substations following flooding that inundated the facilities.

The statement, signed by the company’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that while the Lekki 330/132KV Transmission Substation remains operational with continuous water evacuation efforts, the Oworonshoki 132/33KV Transmission Substation has been completely shut down after floodwater submerged critical equipment.

According to TCN, two power transformers at the Oworonshoki substation—TR1 (60MVA) and TR3 (30MVA)—were affected after they tripped despite attempts to restore them.

“The Oworonshoki 132/33KV Transmission Substation is currently not in service as the level of water has affected two power transformers, TR1 – 60 MVA and TR3 – 30 MVA, that tripped on no load even after attempted restoration.”

The company further revealed that the floodwater had submerged the protection and control cables connected to the transformers, making restoration efforts more difficult.

“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,” TCN said.

The development has resulted in power outages affecting customers supplied through the affected transmission infrastructure, raising concerns over the vulnerability of critical national assets to flooding during the rainy season.

Despite the setback, TCN said its engineers are working around the clock to drain the flooded substation and restore electricity supply.

“Our engineers are working, doing everything possible to evacuate the flood to enable them to test the transformers for restoration,” the company stated.

TCN apologised to customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) affected by the disruption, expressing regret over the inconvenience caused and assuring that normal power supply would be restored once the flooded equipment is declared safe for operation.