Blackout As TCN Shuts Down Okene Transformer Over Fault

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has taken a major transformer in Okene out of service, triggering a fresh power supply disruptions for electricity consumers in the affected areas.

The 45MVA 132/33kV transformer at the Okene Transmission Station was shut down following a technical fault that occurred during efforts to restore supply on the Okene 1 feeder.

According to TCN, the transformer “tripped during efforts to restore the 33kV Okene 1 feeder,” barely days after power was restored on April 10, 2026.

Preliminary investigations according to TCN, traced the incident to a critical equipment failure at a downstream facility.

“The tripping was triggered by a fault linked to a shattered Blue Phase current transformer (CT) at AEDC 7.5MVA Okene 1 Injection Substation,” the company said.

As a result, TCN confirmed that the transformer has been temporarily withdrawn from service to allow for detailed technical investigations and repairs.

“TCN’s maintenance crew has commenced further investigations, and the transformer has been temporarily taken out of service,” the statement noted.

The development has disrupted electricity supply to customers served by the affected infrastructure, raising the risk of outages in parts of the network.

The company, however, assured that efforts are underway to restore supply.

“Efforts are ongoing to complete the necessary work and restore the transformer to service as quickly as possible,” TCN added.

It appealed to affected consumers for patience, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the outage.

The incident underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, where equipment failures continue to pose risks to grid stability and reliable power delivery.