Safeguarding Transmission & Distribution Networks from Vandalism

1. DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS & VANDALISM PRESENTATION BY DR C. E. IFESIE HEAD TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA

2. DEFINITION • VANDALISM • destructive action: the malicious and deliberate defacement or destruction of somebody else’s property • VANDALS • somebody who damages property: somebody who maliciously and deliberately defaces or destroys somebody else’s property

3. TRX & DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE • SUBSTATIONS • POWER/DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS • EARTHING/GROUNDING MAT • FEEDER PILLARS • TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION LINES • TOWERS/PYLONS • CONDUCTOR • COUNTERPOISE CABLE • EARTH WIRE • INSULATORS • COMMUNICATIONS • OPTICAL GROUND WIRES • REPEATER STATIONS • METERS

4. VANDALISM(SUBSTATIONS) • Power transformer insulating oil siphoned away whilst in service • Silica gel removed from live transformers • Distribution transformers stolen • Grounding mat cut and removed • Feeder pillars stolen • Feeder pillar fuses removed

5. VANDALISM(LINES) • TOWERS/PYLONS CUT AND FELLED • CONDUCTOR CUT & STOLEN • COUNTERPOISE CABLE CUT & STOLEN • EARTH WIRE CUT & STOLEN • INSULATORS REMOVED

6. VANADALISM(COMMUNICATIONS) • OPTICAL GROUND WIRES • REPEATER STATIONS

7. VANDALISM (AT CUSTOMER’S PREMISES) • METERS • ELECTRICITY?

8. WHY VANDALISM? • ECONOMIC – MASSIVE INCREASES IN METAL PRICES • EQUIPMENT SOLD FOR CASH? • MATERIALS RECYCLED INTO THE SYSTEM? • CONDUCTOR SMELTED & SOLD AS INGOTS? • CONDUCTOR SMELTED AND FORMED INTO OTHER PRODUCTS? • CONDUCTOR REWOUND FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS? • EARTHWIRE REWOUND FOR STAYS? • TOWER MEMBERS FOR BEDS?, SMELTED?, SCRAP MARKET? • MISCHIEF OR GAME? • SHOOTING AT GLASS INSULATORS • SABOTAGE? • IGNORANCE • BUSH BURNING

9. STATISTICS • NEW HAVEN/OTURKPO/YANDEV 132KV LINE • VADALIZED 36 TIMES BETWEEN FEB’97 & APRIL’05 • COST N111,310,783 TO RESTORE • OUTAGE LASTED FOR A TOTAL OF 152 DAYS • VANDALIZED ON AVERAGE EVERY 2.5 MONTHS • LINE OUT DUE TO VANDALISM FOR 5% OF PERIOD CONSIDERED • FOUR STATES (EBONYI, TARABA,KOGI & BENUE) SUFFERED THE OUTAGE • VANDALISM OCCURRED BETWEEN 2318HRS & 0300HRS • SYSTEMWISE BETWEEN 1999 & 2000 COST OF RESTORATION OF VANDALISED TRANSMISSION LINES AMOUNTED TO N562,491,091.18 • TRX OPERATION & MAINTENANCE EXPENSES IN 2002 –N1,280,528,000

10. VANDAL ELECTROCUTED IN BAUCHI

11. IMPACT OF VANDALISM • FUNDS WASTED ON REPAIRS RATHER THAN NEW PROJECTS • REVENUE LOSS • OUTAGES • EQUIPMENT DAMAGE • SUPPLY INSECURITY • ADVERSELY AFFECTS MAINTENANCE • POOR SUPPLY RELIABILITY • LOSS OF LIVES • PROJECT DELAYS • DIVERSION OF EFFORT & RESOURCE AWAY FROM CORE BUSINESS • INCREASED PROJECT COSTS • INDIRECT COSTS • LEGAL • CONSEQUENTIAL • POOR IMAGE • LOSS OF PERISHABLES • LOSS OF BUSINESS

12. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS • ANTI-VANDAL BOLTS FOR TOWERS • DEPLOYMENT OF TUBULAR PYLONS • BLOCWALL FENCING OF SUBSTATIONS • EMBOSSING/BRANDING OF MATERIALS • USE OF SPECIAL CONDUCTORS • USE OF STEEL EARTHING MATERIALS • POLYMER INSULATORS • HV DISTRIBUTION NETWORK • CONTRACT • EPC CONTRACT MATERIALS SOURCED FROM MANUFACTURERS ONLY

13. OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS • ACTIONS IN TIME REGIME OF SUSPECT TRIPS • INCREASED PATROL OF TRANSMISSION LINES • DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY AGENTS IN LINE PATROLS • COOPERATION & INFORMATION EXCHANGE WITH THE POLICE • INCREASED COMMITMENT IN PROSECUTING CULPRITS • LEGISLATION ON SECONDARY METAL MARKETS

14. OTHER PREVENTIVE SCHEMES • INVOLVING COMMUNITIES TO SECURE DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS • DEPLOYMENT OF VIGILANTE GROUPS • LIAISONS WITH COMMUNITY HEADS • PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA • STREET LIGHTING

15. THE FUTURE OF VANDALISM • INCREASING COST IN METAL PRICES • PRIVATISATION OF UTILITIES • NEW MATERIALS • ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS • INCREASING AUTOMATION • CYBER ATTACKS • MALICIOUS • VIRUS

16. THANK YOU