The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, causing a nationwide blackout.
The grid was shut down at approximately 2:19 AM on June 3, 2024.
At around 1:15 AM, the Benin Transmission Operator under TCN’s Independent System Operations unit reported that all operators were expelled from the control room. Staff members who resisted were beaten and injured, leading to the complete shutdown of the Benin Area Control Centre.
The Labour Union also shut down several other transmission substations, including Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo. Additionally, some transmission lines were disrupted due to union activities.
On the power generation side, units from various generating stations were forced to shut down. At Jebba Generating Station, one unit was shut down, and three others subsequently shut down due to high frequency, causing system instability and the eventual shutdown of the national grid at 2:19 AM.
Despite these challenges, TCN began efforts to recover the grid at about 3:23 AM, starting with the Shiroro Substation to supply bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. However, the Labour Union continues to obstruct grid recovery nationwide.
TCN is committed to restoring and stabilizing the grid to ensure the resumption of normal electricity transmission to distribution load centers across the country.
