TCN declares force majeure on Birnin Kebbi–Niamey power line after tower collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared a force majeure on the 132kV Birnin Kebbi–Niamey transmission line after three transmission towers collapsed in Kebbi State, disrupting bulk electricity transmission to Niger Republic.

According to a statement issued by TCN, the line tripped at about 5:38 p.m. on August 26, 2026. A trial attempt to restore the connection at 6:03 p.m. was unsuccessful, as the line tripped again almost immediately.

A subsequent fault-finding patrol by TCN linesmen identified the collapse of towers T109, T110 and T111 at Chibike Village.

The company attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall and strong winds experienced in the area.

TCN said the damage had affected bulk power transmission to Niamey through the interconnection line, which forms part of the electricity infrastructure used to supply power from Nigeria to Niger.

The company has mobilised personnel and resources to the affected location to begin rehabilitation work on the damaged towers.

“TCN has mobilised personnel and resources to the site,” the company said, adding that it was working to facilitate the speedy rehabilitation of the collapsed towers and restore the line to service as soon as possible.

TCN also apologised to electricity customers in Niamey affected by the disruption and assured them that efforts were underway to restore normal supply.

The Birnin Kebbi–Niamey 132kV line is an important component of Niger’s electricity supply system. Niger has historically relied significantly on electricity imported from Nigeria, with the Birnin Kebbi–Niamey line identified by the World Bank as one of the country’s major 132kV interconnection lines.

The latest incident is not the first time damage to transmission infrastructure linking Nigeria and Niger has disrupted electricity supplies. In May 2025, three towers on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi line also collapsed during severe weather, affecting electricity supplies to parts of Niger.

TCN’s declaration of force majeure formally recognises that circumstances beyond the company’s control have affected its ability to provide transmission services through the affected line.

The company did not give a specific timeline for completion of the repairs but said it was deploying all necessary resources to return the transmission line to service as quickly as possible.