KEDCO raises alarm over power supply cut to northwest states

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, has expressed deep concern over the persistent challenges affecting electricity supply from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and the National Grid to Northwestern states.
In a statement by its spokesman, Sani Bala Sani in Kano on Thursday, KEDCO noted that its network currently depends on only two major transmission routes for power supply into the Kano Complex, through Kaduna and Jos.
The company disclosed that the limited transmission redundancy had significantly constrained the reliability and stability of electricity supply to Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and surrounding areas, leaving the network highly vulnerable to outages whenever faults occur on either route.
The company, according to Sani, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security, maintenance, and capacity expansion along the Shiroro–Mando–Kano transmission corridor.
According to KEDCO, increased investment is required to strengthen infrastructure, expand transmission capacity, and build redundancy into the network to reduce system vulnerability and ensure more consistent power delivery. These improvements will address longstanding limitations within the transmission network that continue to impact distribution efficiency and service reliability.
KEDCO further explained that in recent weeks, scheduled maintenance and service interventions on the transmission network, especially that involving the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) along the transmission line routes, resulting in recurring weekend downtimes.
“ These situations remain detrimental to both industrial productivity and the welfare of citizens across the Northwestern states and the KEDCO franchise area, in particular,” Sani said.
The company therefore appealed to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, to direct TCN to urgently improve transmission service delivery and accelerate ongoing maintenance and upgrade projects.
“ KEDCO noted that improved transmission stability is critical to sustaining economic activities and ensuring reliable electricity for homes and businesses.
“ In the interim, KEDCO stated that available supply will be strategically managed to prioritize industrial and economic hubs and small-scale businesses to maintain economic balance across its franchise areas,” he said
KEDCO also disclosed that it is actively engaging with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to mitigate the impact of supply constraints and improve service coordination.
KEDCO also disclosed that plans to expand embedded and distributed generation infrastructure within its network are being fast-tracked. These initiatives aim to reduce absolute dependence on the national grid and move toward a more resilient and consolidated regional power system capable of delivering a sustainable electricity supply.