Engineers in Nigeria have successfully repaired a major high-voltage transmission line while keeping the electricity flowing, avoiding widespread power cuts.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said its specialised “live-line” maintenance crew carried out the repairs in the country’s northern Kaduna region.
Teams worked on a 132-kilovolt (132kV) line, replacing more than 40 defective glass disc insulators across eight critical transmission towers.
Conventionally, such high-risk maintenance requires shutting down the grid, plunging businesses and homes into darkness. However, by using advanced techniques that allow engineers to work safely on fully energised lines, TCN maintained bulk electricity supply throughout the four-day operation.
The faulty equipment was replaced with a combination of polymer and new glass insulators to improve the durability of the network.
”Live-line maintenance has become a critical tool for utilities worldwide because it allows essential repairs and upgrades to be carried out without interrupting electricity supply.”
— Power sector analysts
Modernising a fragile grid
Nigeria’s electricity grid has long faced challenges with stability and frequent system collapses. TCN stated that the adoption of live-line technology is part of a broader strategy to modernise the national grid, reduce downtime, and meet the country’s growing power demands.
The company added that it will continue to deploy modern engineering solutions to strengthen infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power transmission across Nigeria.
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