TCN Restores Electrical Power to Northern Nigeria After Shiroro‑Mando Line Repair

Introduction

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on December 2 2025 that bulk electricity supply has been restored to large sections of Kaduna and Niger states in Northern Nigeria. The announcement follows the successful repair of the critical Shiroro‑Mando 330 kV transmission line, a corridor that delivers up to 1 GW of power to the north‑central grid. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO‑optimized overview of the incident, the restoration process, its impact on households and businesses, and the broader legal and operational context.

Analysis

Timeline of Events

• 28 November 2025 – A fault on the Shiroro‑Mando 330 kV Line II triggers an automatic trip, plunging parts of Kaduna, Niger and surrounding areas into darkness.
• 29 November 2025 – 1 December 2025 – TCN crews, in coordination with security agencies, assess the fault. Access to the line is hampered by security challenges along the route.
• 2 December 2025, 11:56 am – After extensive troubleshooting and line reinforcement, TCN restores bulk transmission on the Shiroro‑Mando line.
• 3 December 2025 – TCN publicly confirms that power supply to Kaduna and Niger states has been re‑energised. Simultaneously, the Katampe Transmission Substation in Abuja continues scheduled maintenance, leaving some parts of the capital without supply.

Technical Impact of the Shiroro‑Mando Line

The Shiroro‑Mando corridor is a 330 kV high‑voltage backbone linking the Shiroro hydro‑electric complex to the Mando substation, which feeds the northern transmission network. When the line is functional, it:

• Transfers approximately 950 MW of renewable hydro power.
• Stabilises voltage levels across the northern grid, reducing frequency fluctuations.
• Supports industrial loads in Kaduna, Niger, and the broader North‑Central zone.

Security Challenges Along the Route

TCN’s official statement highlighted that “security challenges along the line route temporarily restricted safe access to the fault site.” The corridor traverses remote, forested areas that have been prone to banditry and communal clashes. Security forces were deployed to escort engineering teams, which added a 48‑hour delay to the restoration schedule.

Effect on Abuja’s Power Supply

While the Shiroro‑Mando line was being repaired, the Katampe Transmission Substation in Abuja underwent preventive maintenance. This scheduled work resulted in a partial blackout that lasted more than three days for several districts of the capital. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) reported that the outage affected residential customers and small‑scale commercial activities but did not compromise the national grid’s stability.

Summary

In early December 2025, TCN overcame a major transmission fault on the Shiroro‑Mando 330 kV line, restoring electricity to crucial northern states after a four‑day outage. The repair was delayed by security concerns, underscoring the importance of coordinated safety measures for critical infrastructure. Simultaneously, planned maintenance at Katampe Substation caused localized outages in Abuja, highlighting the balancing act between routine upkeep and uninterrupted service.

Key Points

Practical Advice for Consumers and Businesses

What Households Should Do During an Outage

1. Keep emergency lighting (LED torches, solar lanterns) readily available.
2. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage when power returns.
3. Monitor TCN’s official website or social media for real‑time updates.
4. Report any prolonged darkness to your local distribution company (e.g., Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company).

Guidelines for Small‑Scale Enterprises

• Invest in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or diesel generators to maintain operations during grid interruptions.
• Maintain a log of power‑related losses for potential compensation claims under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) guidelines.
• Review contracts with power‑related service providers to ensure clauses covering force‑majeure events.

Tips for Large Industries

Industrial users should coordinate directly with TCN’s Customer Service Desk to obtain priority restoration schedules. Implementing load‑shedding management systems and redundant feed‑through arrangements can mitigate production downtime.

Points of Caution

• Electrical safety: Do not attempt to repair damaged lines or transformers; only authorised personnel should handle high‑voltage equipment.
• Fuel storage: If you rely on generators, store fuel in well‑ventilated areas and adhere to fire safety standards.
• Scams: Be wary of unsolicited offers promising “instant power restoration” – these are often fraudulent.
• Data integrity: Power interruptions can corrupt digital records; ensure regular backups.

Comparison with Previous Outages

Historically, northern Nigeria has faced several high‑profile outages, most notably the 2022 “Kano blackout” caused by a transformer failure on the 330 kV Kano‑Katsina line. Compared with that incident, the Shiroro‑Mando outage:

The 2025 incident demonstrates improved crisis communication, although both events highlight the vulnerability of high‑voltage corridors to external disruptions.

Legal Implications

Under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Act, 2005, TCN is mandated to:

1. Maintain the reliability of bulk transmission networks.
2. Provide timely information to consumers regarding outages and restoration timelines.
3. Coordinate with security agencies to ensure safe access to transmission assets.

Failure to meet these obligations can trigger investigations by NERC, potentially resulting in fines or directives to improve operational protocols. Additionally, commercial users who suffer quantifiable losses may seek restitution under the Power Sector Compensation Framework, provided they can demonstrate that the outage was due to negligence rather than force‑majeure.

Conclusion

The restoration of the Shiroro‑Mando 330 kV line marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s power landscape, reaffirming TCN’s role in safeguarding the nation’s electricity supply. While security challenges delayed the repair, swift coordination between engineers and law‑enforcement agencies enabled a full recovery within four days. Consumers and businesses should remain prepared for future interruptions by adopting resilience measures, while regulators continue to enforce standards that promote transparency and reliability.

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