Fire destroys N1bn electricity transmission lines

A statement from the TCN Media Head, Seun Olagunju yesterday said, “With the singular incident, the company has incurred huge losses to the tune of N1 billion for the reconstruction of the 12 towers and rehabilitation of tower No 81.”
According to the statement, the inferno from the tanker which fell between Towers No 88 and 89 destroyed the 330kV Sapele- Ughelli transmission line as it collapsed Towers No 82 to 93 along its route.
With the collapse of the 12 towers, TCN said it has temporarily lost power evacuation from Ughelli and Sapele power stations through the lines.
It noted that the evacuation would now be done through the second 500MW capacity 330kV transmission line from Ughelli to Benin.
TCN said its quick response engineering team and its transmission contractors are already at the site to fully assess the level of damage to adopt quick remedial plans, pending the re-construction of the 12 towers.
In the meantime, it has however assured that the second 330kV transmission line from Ughelli to Benin and the 132kV transmission lines one and two from Benin to Ughelli, will adequately evacuate power generated from the power stations to Benin.
The company, however, pleaded with vehicle drivers especially ones that hull highly inflammable items such as petrol to drive with care.