Residents in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should prepare for temporary power outages this weekend as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) carries out critical maintenance work at two major substations.
In a statement issued on Saturday by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company outlined its plan for routine maintenance to ensure optimal performance of power infrastructure.
The statement noted that on Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., engineers will perform maintenance on a 60MVA power transformer and associated switchgear at the Gwagwalada 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation.
During this time, electricity distribution to Gwagwalada and surrounding areas will be disrupted for about four hours.
Similarly, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, maintenance work will continue at the Kukwaba 132/33kV Transmission Substation between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
This activity will result in power interruptions affecting areas such as Wuye, EFCC, Federal Medical Centre, Coca-Cola, Idu Railway Station, Citec, and Life Camp.
TCN emphasized the necessity of these measures, despite the inconvenience they may cause during the festive season. “TCN apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause, especially during the end-of-year celebrations.
However, it is important that maintenance is carried out as scheduled for the optimal performance of power equipment,” the statement read.
Earlier in December, TCN had postponed similar maintenance at the Gwagwalada substation due to public concerns over erratic power supply in Abuja. The rescheduled activities are now deemed urgent to maintain grid reliability.
The power outages are expected to be temporary, with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) tasked with resuming normal supply immediately after the work is completed.
Residents are advised to plan accordingly and utilize alternative energy sources where possible during the maintenance periods.