TCN Advances Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line Restoration

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has made significant progress in restoring the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi transmission line following the collapse of tower T367 along the line corridor.

TCN said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the restoration work was ongoing at the affected location in Yauri.

According to the company, the collapsed tower has been completely dismantled and decommissioned, while the conductors and skywire have been properly aligned and prepared for the next phase of the work.

It added that an Emergency Restoration System tower had been moved to the site and was ready for installation.

The installation will be followed by cable stringing and other related activities required to restore the affected transmission line, TCN said.

The company added that its engineers and technical personnel remained at the site and were working to complete the restoration as quickly as possible.

“TCN appreciates the patience and understanding of electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident and assures the public that every effort is being made to restore the line and consequently, normal bulk transmission as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Recall that on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) declared force majeure on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line after discovering that Tower T367 had collapsed.

The line had tripped at 10:44 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026, while a trial reclosure attempted at 11:07 p.m. also failed. Following the second trip, linesmen from TCN’s Birnin Kebbi Sub-Region conducted a fault-finding patrol along the transmission corridor and discovered the collapsed tower on September 8.

TCN said its preliminary findings indicated that the tower collapsed due to heavy winds and rainstorms experienced in the area. The incident affected bulk electricity transmission through the Kainji–Birnin Kebbi corridor, prompting the company to invoke force majeure on the line because the damage resulted from a natural disaster.

The company said it had begun arrangements to mobilise the necessary personnel, equipment and other resources to the affected location to rehabilitate the collapsed tower and restore the transmission line to service as quickly as possible.

In the interim, TCN said it had maintained electricity transmission to Sokoto by enabling the Talata Mafara–Sokoto corridor to receive supply through an alternative transmission path from the Kaduna-Mando axis via the 132kV Zaria–Funtua–Gusau transmission line.