Nsukka power tests: TCN notice lists two exceptions to earlier six-day outage plan

Electricity customers around Nsukka in Enugu State have a six-day period to mark on their calendars, but the transmission company has set aside two of those dates from planned interruptions. In a notice reported on 3 November, the Transmission Company of Nigeria said a contractor would test equipment at the Nsukka–New Haven 132-kilovolt substation from 5 to 10 November.

The tests concern the system used to monitor and control substation equipment, known as SCADA. They are checks carried out before commissioning. The company says it will interrupt supply in phases so that the part of the network where work is taking place can be taken out of service while other areas continue to receive bulk power.

According to the notice, the work can continue on Sunday, 8 November, and Tuesday, 10 November, without a planned cut on either day. That leaves Thursday 5, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Monday 9 November as the four dates within the work period on which customers may experience an interruption linked to these tests.

MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited supplies customers downstream of the transmission station. TCN names customers served by the Nsukka substation, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Orba and Sumas 33-kilovolt feeders in its notice. A feeder carries electricity to a particular part of the network. The list therefore helps customers identify whether the work concerns their supply.

In October, MainPower had advised customers to expect interruptions from 9am to 5pm daily across the six days. The November reports of TCN’s notice agree on phased work. The versions published by New Africa Horizon and The Preview Media explicitly exclude 8 and 10 November. TNT’s account gives the full work period without listing those exceptions. None gives an hourly timetable for individual feeders.

What it means for you. If you need electricity for a class, a shop or work at home in one of the named areas, check with MainPower for information specific to your feeder before making plans. The two exempt dates concern this testing programme. They are not a guarantee against an unrelated fault.