Labour Dispute Triggers Power Disruption in Port Harcourt as TCN Moves to Restore Supply By Raymond Enoch
A labour dispute at the Afam IV Gas Power Station has plunged parts of Port Harcourt and its environs into a power supply disruption, after electricity workers opened a critical 330kV transmission line serving the area.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in a statement issued Tuesday, said the disruption began on Monday, September 28, 2026, when members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Rivers State Chapter, opened the Afam–Alaoji 330kV Transmission Line 2 at the Alaoji 330kV Transmission Substation.
TCN said the action was connected to an ongoing labour dispute between NUEE and the management of Afam IV Gas Power Station.
The development had an immediate impact on the transmission network, with the 150MVA 330/132kV inter-bus transformer at Afam IV tripping and consequently affecting the bulk transmission of electricity to parts of Port Harcourt and surrounding areas.
Among the transmission facilities affected are the Port Harcourt Town 132kV Transmission Substation, Elelenwo 132kV Transmission Substation and the 60MVA 132/33kV transformer at the Port Harcourt Mains 132kV Transmission Substation.
The incident effectively exposed the vulnerability of electricity supply to industrial and labour disputes when they involve critical transmission infrastructure, with consumers and businesses in affected parts of the Rivers State capital bearing the immediate impact.
TCN, however, said efforts were already underway to address the situation, adding that it was engaging relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), to restore the affected facilities.
The transmission company said restoration would be undertaken as soon as conditions permit safe re-energisation of the affected facilities.
TCN expressed regret over the disruption and inconvenience caused to electricity consumers, assuring residents that further updates would be provided as the situation develops.
The latest development comes amid heightened attention to the protection and uninterrupted operation of critical electricity infrastructure across the country, particularly transmission facilities that serve major urban and industrial centres.
For residents and businesses in the affected areas, the immediate concern remains when the affected transmission facilities will be safely restored and normal bulk electricity supply to Port Harcourt fully re-established.
