In reaction to the rejection of the new load shedding formula in parts of its operational areas, the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company has urged the consumers in the affected areas to bear with it pending when a lasting solution would be proffered.
The electricity distribution company gave the advice in a statement made available to journalists recently titled, ‘Re: Rejection of IBEDC new load rotation implemented on 15th March 2021,’ signed on behalf of its management by Akin Abiodun, the Chief Technical Officer.
The statement read in parts, “The attention of the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc. has been drawn to a letter made public from IBEDC Consumer Forum, Ibafo on the rejection of the new load shedding formula implemented from the 15th of March, 2021.
“The Management therefore wishes to make these clarifications on the issue: The supply to Ibafo originates from a 33kV feeder which radiates supply from Oke-Aro Transmission Station through Magboro, Makogi, Oke-Afa to Ibafo, Asese, Orimerunmu, Pakuro, Lotto and Mowe axis and environs. The current load demand for the axis for an equitable power supply is 35 Megawatts, but the allocated energy from Oke-Aro TCN is 13 Megawatts, which was the initial arrangement based on how sparsely populated the communities were few years ago.
“The increase in population has created attendant rise in energy consumption making the 13 Megawatts grossly inadequate. As part of efforts to ensure an even distribution of power supply to the communities, IBEDC management had met and written to the Transmission Company of Nigeria requesting for increase in load allocation to the axis.
“The TCN management however explained that all the transformers at the station are already overloaded but that plans are in place for the upgrade of the Substation. IBEDC then went further to request for diversion of excess load on another feeder to Ibafo 33kV feeder, the request is yet to be granted.
“Furthermore, IBEDC has commenced radiating another feeder from the recently commissioned Kobape Transmission Station in Abeokuta to Mowe/Ibafo to relieve the load demand of the area and that is expected to take effect later on in the year.
“The feeder is overloaded, and it trips frequently. Frequent tripping of feeders shortens the life of Circuit Breakers, and this necessitated the need for load shedding methodology that will promote an amicable and mutual benefits to our substation equipment and all the communities concerned.
“The decision to review the three shifts load shedding management to four, for fair and quality power supply was duly discussed with the community leaders, and agreed upon by the leaders before its commencement on the 15th of March 2021.
“IBEDC as a customer centric company apologizes for all the inconveniences this new load shedding arrangement might have caused our customers in Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe and environs. The arrangement is only temporary as IBEDC and the Transmission Company of Nigeria are working assiduously to proffer a lasting solution to power supply problem in the area.”
