Nigerians Set To Suffer Electricity Blackout For 10 Days As Gas Shortage Hits 16 Power Plants

Nigerians are set to face blackout for the next 10 days as the shortage of gas has hit 16 power generating plants causing power generation to drop to 3,675 megawatts (MW) from its highest point.

According to Daily Trust, operators said that power supply will drop for the next 10 days until scheduled maintenance is completed on the gas pipelines.

Daily power generation statistics obtained by Daily Trust from the Independent System Operator (ISO), a section of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) puts peak generation at 4,055MW on Friday but dropped to 3,236MW at the close of that day. By Saturday, the peak generation had dropped to 3,675MW causing a loss of 380MW early Saturday.

The TCN spokesperson, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, in a statement over the weekend confirmed this saying:

“The nation’s power sector is experiencing power supply shortage caused by low gas supply which has restrained the ability of many thermal power stations to generate optimally.”

It said four Generation Companies (GenCos) generated zero megawatts (MW) on Friday due the cut in gas supply. The GenCos are Sapele NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP and Azura Edo power plants.

Twelve other GenCos were affected but generated at lower capacities. They include Egbin, Sapele, Delta (gas), Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Geregu NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Okpai and Omoku GenCos.

TCN said the gas constraint has caused significant reduction in the quantum of power transmitted to the various Distribution Companies (DisCos) for supply to electricity consumers.

The power evacuation firm said it however discussed with the management of some of the affected GenCos who blamed the gas shortage to the maintenance of gas pipelines by the suppliers which is expected to last for 10 days.

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