Geospatial mapping of public electricity distribution network systems in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area, Imo State Nigeria

The Owerri Municipal Local Government Area is plagued by problems such as inability to meet the target set for power generation, insufficient equipment, substandard methods of transmission, poor zoning of distribution, low voltage supply, unauthorized connection and disconnection, corruption in its management, equipment vandalization and inefficient distribution. This study is therefore aimed at Geospatial mapping of public electricity distribution network systems in this Local Government Area. The methodology employed in this research started from the planning, primary data acquisition from the field using handheld GPS and questionnaire, secondary data acquisition from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Enugu and Imo State, database design and creation, query and analysis, visualization and presentation of result using ArcGIS 10.5. From the result of the spatial analyses carried out, the study area has 26,350 public electricity distribution network systems. These public electricity distribution network systems comprise of 2507 High Tension lines, 8536 Low Tension lines, 11502 Low Tension poles, 3238 High Tension poles, 505 Transformers (DSS), 59 Solar Energy systems and 3 distribution feeders as at the period of study. The spatial search carried out showed that Umueche community has the highest number of occupants and also the highest number of transformers spread across. The spatial distribution result showed that Arugo layout and Onitsha Road layout are where industrial activities are concentrated and they have a total number of 20 and 21 transformers spread across each area respectively. Ikenegbu layout was revealed to have 25 transformers (DSS) spread across it. It is recommended that this study should serve as a decision support system for siting of power generation facilities within the study area.