UNDERSTANDING POWER OUTAGES AND KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON

Power outages can be inconvenient. Whether you’re in the middle of something important, relaxing after a long day, or enjoying quality time with loved ones, having the lights suddenly go out can disrupt your routine. “Why can’t we just have stable electricity all the time?”

Let’s delve into the main causes of power outages and the proactive measures AEDC is taking to ensure your home stays powered up.

A journey of electricity: From generation to your home

Before diving into what causes power outages, let’s take a quick journey to understand how electricity reaches your home. It all starts at a power generation plant where electricity is produced. From there, it travels through high-voltage transmission lines managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Your local electricity distribution company, like AEDC, then receives this power and distributes it to transformers in your neighbourhood, eventually reaching your home.

So, what causes power outages?

A power outage is simply an interruption in the electricity supply. These interruptions can occur at any point along the complex journey from the power plant to your home. Here are some of the main culprits:

Planned Outages

Sometimes, outages are necessary for maintenance. Scheduled maintenance allows technicians to inspect and repair equipment like transformers and power lines, helping to prevent larger, unexpected outages in the future.

Unplanned Outages

Unfortunately, unforeseen events can also cause power disruptions. These include:

• Equipment Failure: Transformers, lines, and other infrastructure can malfunction due to wear and tear, extreme weather, or accidents. Technicians must locate and fix the problem to restore power.
• External Events: Vehicle accidents damaging power poles, vandalism, or accidental cable disruptions during construction work can also lead to outages.

Emergency Outages: These are rare but necessary to ensure public safety. For example, if a downed power line poses a risk of electrocution, the power may be cut until repairs are made.

How are we addressing power outages?

At AEDC, we are committed to minimizing power outages and improving the reliability of the electricity supply. Here are some of the steps we are taking:

• Infrastructure Investments: We continuously invest in upgrading and maintaining our infrastructure to meet the growing demand.
• Enhanced Maintenance Protocols: Regular maintenance schedules and rapid response teams help address technical issues quickly and efficiently.
• Community Engagement: We work closely with communities to reduce vandalism and theft through awareness programs and collaboration with local authorities.

Power outages can be a hassle, but knowing why they happen helps you stay prepared and informed. At AEDC, we’re committed to delivering a dependable electricity supply and actively addressing the root causes of these disruptions. Whenever you need assistance, our customer service team is here to help.

Let’s work together to keep the lights on and brighten the future for everyone!