- Power Grid Loses 1,087.6MW, Eight Stations Shut
Nigeria’s electricity grid witnessed a sharp drop in power generation, losing 1,087.6 megawatts as about eight power stations were forced to shut down operations on Friday and Saturday due to the rupturing of a major gas pipeline.
Data obtained from the Operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market in Abuja on Sunday showed that power generation dropped to 2,905MW on Friday, from 3,992.6MW the preceding day.
It was gathered that the rupturing of the gas pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Gas Company on Friday as well as technical issues at the gas wells of an international oil company, Shell, on Saturday, resulted in the sharp drop in the quantum of electricity generated by power plants across the country.
This, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, led to a nationwide load-shedding, as about eight thermal power generation stations were unable to generate electricity and were effectively shut down.
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.
The transmission company, however, refuted claims that the grid recorded a collapse during the days under review, and 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 General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah, said in a statement, “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.”
Mbah explained that with a total loss of 1,087.6MW, the transmission system became quite fragile, but noted that the TCN was working hard to avert a collapse of the system, as it engaged in load-shedding.
She said the NGC was making efforts to ensure that the gas pipeline issues were resolved in order to restore normal gas supply to the affected power generating stations and enable them generate electricity into the grid.
“Meanwhile, Shell has resolved its gas well issues this (Sunday) morning and gas supply partially restored to Afam VI,” Mbah added.
She said there had been no collapse of the grid and appealed for understanding, adding that the TCN engineers were working hard to continue to maintain the stability of the grid pending the completion of repairs of the gas pipeline by the NGC and restoration of full gas supply to the affected power generating stations.