Michael James
14 September 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — A 1x150MVA 330/132/33kV Power transformer in Jos Transmission Substation was gutted by fire leaving it completely destroyed.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, General Manager in charge of Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah.
She explained that the inferno started at about 16:45 pm on Tuesday 12th September 2017, but was eventually out at about 10 pm
According to her, the fire incident started on the secondary side of the transformer’s blue phase bushing, when a conductor snapped and caused oil to gush out of the bushing.
“This oil caused the fire to intensify engulfing the power transformer. TCN engineers in conjunction with the state fire service worked very hard to put out the fire, which unfortunately burnt down the power transformer,” she said.
The statement further noted that during the incident, TCN engineers were able to successfully isolate the burning 150MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer from other energised parts of the substation to prevent further escalation.
“As a result of the quick intervention, the second 1x150MVA, 330/132kV power transformer in the same transmission substation was saved.
“As at 11 pm the same day, TCN engineers successfully restored the 330kV Gombe transmission line and the second 150MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer supplying Distribution load centers in Jos simultaneously. To ensure there is no impact on the power supply to Jos; TCN has successfully diverted the 30MW normally supplied from Jos Substation; Gombe Substation now supplies 30MW to Bauchi. The incidence did not cause disruption of power supply to Jos and Environs,
“Management is intensifying effort to replace the burnt transformer. Equally, an investigation is being carried out to determine the immediate and remote cause of the incidence in order to forestall future occurrence,” she noted.
Mbah explained that TCN regrets any inconveniences caused by the inferno to electricity customers especially those in Jos and environs.
