Planned Maintenance in Enugu Set to Enhance Power Supply — TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that it will carry out scheduled maintenance operations on its transmission infrastructure in Enugu State as part of ongoing efforts to improve electricity supply reliability and network efficiency across the South-East region.According to a statement released by the company’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the planned maintenance exercise is designed to strengthen grid stability, reduce power interruptions, and enhance overall transmission performance. The operation will involve upgrading critical transmission equipment, replacing outdated components, and cleaning high-voltage lines to ensure uninterrupted power flow.

TCN stated that the maintenance will affect some areas within Enugu and its environs, as well as parts of neighbouring states that rely on the Enugu substation for electricity distribution. The company assured consumers that the exercise is temporary and aimed at achieving long-term improvement in service delivery.

“The scheduled maintenance is part of TCN’s preventive maintenance strategy to ensure that our transmission infrastructure operates optimally,” the statement read. “This exercise will enable us to strengthen grid reliability and ensure steady power supply to consumers in Enugu and surrounding areas.”

The company noted that the maintenance will require short-term outages in certain parts of the state, which will be communicated in advance through the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). It urged residents and businesses to cooperate and make necessary arrangements to mitigate the temporary disruptions that may occur during the process.

“While we regret the inconveniences this may cause our customers, the planned outage is necessary to achieve a more stable and efficient transmission network. Once completed, it will significantly improve electricity delivery in the region,” Mbah added.

She further explained that the exercise aligns with TCN’s broader objective of modernising Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure to support growing energy demand and ensure seamless power delivery across the national grid. The agency is currently implementing a series of network expansion and maintenance projects under its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), funded in collaboration with international development partners.

Under the TREP initiative, TCN has embarked on the construction of new substations, upgrading of existing ones, and installation of modern control systems aimed at boosting transmission capacity nationwide. The Enugu maintenance operation is one of several scheduled interventions designed to ensure that power infrastructure in the South-East remains reliable and efficient.

Industry experts have lauded the proactive approach, describing it as a crucial step toward addressing long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks in Nigeria’s electricity transmission system. According to energy analyst Chike Ugochukwu, TCN’s decision to conduct scheduled maintenance rather than wait for system failures demonstrates a shift toward professionalism and accountability in the sector.

“This is a welcome development. Preventive maintenance is essential if we want to reduce system collapses and ensure consistent electricity supply. TCN’s efforts in Enugu are an example of what should be done nationwide,” Ugochukwu said.

He further noted that the maintenance could lead to improved load distribution and reduced technical losses, which have been major challenges affecting the efficiency of Nigeria’s power network.

In a related development, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) confirmed its cooperation with TCN in the maintenance process, assuring customers that it would promptly restore power to all affected areas once the work is completed. The company also pledged to use the opportunity to conduct internal system checks and minor network repairs to further enhance service delivery.

EEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said the distribution firm fully supports TCN’s maintenance schedule, describing it as a step in the right direction. “We are working closely with TCN to ensure that the process runs smoothly and within the stipulated timeframe. This collaboration will ultimately benefit our customers through improved and more reliable supply,” he stated.

He added that the cooperation between TCN and EEDC reflects a renewed commitment to joint operational planning among power sector stakeholders, which is critical to achieving Nigeria’s electricity reform goals.

Residents of Enugu have also expressed cautious optimism about the planned maintenance. Some business owners noted that while temporary outages might disrupt daily activities, they expect the long-term gains to outweigh the short-term inconveniences. “If this maintenance will actually improve power supply, then it’s worth the wait,” said Chijioke Nnaji, a small business owner in Independence Layout.

The Federal Ministry of Power has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining power infrastructure to prevent breakdowns and enhance efficiency. Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, recently urged power agencies to adopt preventive maintenance as a standard practice rather than waiting for crises to occur.

The upcoming maintenance operation in Enugu underscores TCN’s renewed focus on grid reliability and customer satisfaction. The company has pledged to continue implementing similar exercises in other regions as part of its national grid reinforcement plan.

Upon completion, the Enugu project is expected to boost transmission capacity, stabilise voltage levels, and improve electricity delivery to homes, industries, and businesses in the South-East. TCN reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, safety, and technical excellence throughout the exercise.

“The maintenance is a short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit,” Mbah concluded. “Our goal is to deliver a stronger, more reliable, and efficient transmission network for the Nigerian people.”