Enugu Begins 3 New 33KV Feeders to End Blackout in 4 LGAs

Enugu begins three new 33KV feeders from TCN Ugwuaji to restore stable power to Nkanu East, West, Awgu and Aninri.

The Enugu State Government has started the construction of three new 33KV electricity feeders to end years of blackout in parts of the state.

The project is aimed at delivering stable, reliable and improved power supply to communities in four local government areas.

The new feeders are being built from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Station at Ugwuaji.

When completed, they will serve Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Awgu and Aninri local government areas.

The flag-off took place at the weekend. It came shortly after a stakeholders meeting on electricity held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

The state government says the intervention is meant to fix a major problem with the Amechi 33KV feeder.

That feeder is currently the main source of power for Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Enugu South, Awgu and Aninri.

The problem is its size. The Amechi feeder stretches over 600 kilometres into three local government areas in Ebonyi State.

It is said to be the longest 33KV feeder in the entire South-East. Because of its length, it is very difficult to trace faults and restore power quickly. That is why communities under it suffer prolonged outages.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Electrification Agency, ESEA, Christopher Ezeoha, said government is not just patching the old line.

According to him, the state has decided to completely restructure the network for a lasting solution.

Ezeoha explained that two brand new 33KV feeders will be constructed from the TCN Station at Ugwuaji. An existing short 33KV feeder from the same station will also be extended.

Together, they make up the three feeders now under construction.

He said the two new feeders will be dedicated to Nkanu East and Nkanu West, which have suffered the worst outages.

The existing Amechi feeder will then be reconfigured to serve only Awgu and Aninri, to reduce its load and improve its performance.

To further strengthen supply, the government will also build four new injection substations in Nkanu East and Nkanu West.

The substations will step down electricity from 33KV to 11KV for distribution to homes and businesses. This, he said, will make power more stable and reliable in the affected areas.