Nigerian power sector yet to find solution to incessant plants shut down over constraints
Since the beginning of 2018, official data garnered from the Power Generation Report of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, has shown that no month has passed without cases of plant shutdown traced to issues around gas, line and frequency management constraints.
Less than one week ago and on 9th of April to be precise, at least eight out of the 27 power plants in Nigeria were shut down due to same reasons.
The latest report noted that the Trans Amadi Gas Turbine (GT) 1 and 2 were out due to line constraints while GT 3 was on fault. GT 4 tripped on generator differential lockout.
On the other hand, ASCO Power plant GT1, was shut down due to leakage in the furnace, while Ihovbor Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) GT 1 was out due to gas constraint. GT2 was also out due to malfunctioning gas regulating valve.
In Abia State, the Alaoji NIPP Gas Turbine 1, 2, and 4 tripped due to low gas pressure, while GT3 was shut down due to generator air inlet filter trouble as Afam IV and V Gas Power Plant GT13-16 were out on blade failure. GT17 tripped on loss of excitation. GT18 was out on inspection and maintenance, while GT19 and 20 are awaiting major overhaul.
In Delta State, Sapele Steam’s ST1 tripped on low drum level, ST2 was shut down for maintenance, ST3 was out on stator winding problem, ST4 and 5 are awaiting major overhaul while ST6 tripped on gas control valve not following reference point.
