Parts of Nigeria to remain in darkness as public holidays hamper power repair efforts
That the nation’s power grid lost about 1,087.6MW from the shutting down of eight stations on Friday and Saturday due to the rupturing of a major gas pipeline is no more news, rather, the locking up of relevant offices for strategic repair materials is currently hampering repairs.
A dependable source confided in our correspondent on Monday that “Even though frantic efforts are being made to effect repairs, the Public Holiday that ran into Monday is frustrating several logistic efforts to carry out repairs on time.
“Besides, some highly needed hands for the repairs may have been out of town or very far from the fault region due to the fact that the public holiday stretched over the weekend from Friday last week.
Business Hilights recalls that the Nigerian Electricity Market statistics had weekend, shown that power generation dropped to 2,905MW on Friday, from 3,992.6MW the preceding day.
An official of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing who chose not to be named explained to our correspondent Monday evening, revealed that the rupturing of the gas pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) on Friday as well as technical issues at the gas wells of Shell, on Saturday, resulted in the sharp drop in the quantum of electricity generated by power plants across the country.
Since the incident, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had resorted to nationwide load-shedding currently experienced in parts of the country including Lagos and Abuja.
Power experts say load-shedding is to ensure that the available generation is commensurate with what is allocated to power distribution companies nationwide in order to create a balance and avert grid instability.
While refuting news reports of total grid collapse, a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah listed the affected stations as Ihovbor, Azura, Omotosho, Geregu, Olorunsogo, Sapele and the Egbin Power Station, which managed to generate 60MW only on each of its units, losing a total of 211MW.
The statement added that “As a result of gas pipeline rupture on the 15th of June, 2018, as well as technical issues at the Shell gas wells on the 16th of June, there has been a sharp drop in generation into the grid by a total of 1,087.6MW, resulting in load-shedding nationwide, necessary to maintain stability of the grid.
“Also, the Afam VI power station was shut down so that Shell can resolve its gas well issues to enable it commence gas supply to the Afam VI power station.”
She announced that load-shedding was a strategy to avoid total collapse of the nation’s grid system.
