- NNPC Repairs Pipeline, Power Generation Increases by 1,304MW
Power generation has risen to 3,876.9 megawatts after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation fixed the gas pipeline that was ruptured on Friday, which supplies gas to most thermal electricity generating plants in the country.
Data obtained from the Transmission Company of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday showed that the country’s power generation increased by 1,304.3MW, as it moved up from the 2,572.6MW recorded on Sunday to 3,876.9MW on Monday, which was the latest generation figure as of when this report was filed in.
The TCN also stated that that there was significant improvement in gas supply to the power generating plants following the restoration of the ruptured pipeline, adding that gas was gradually building up in most generating stations.
The firm noted that in a day or two, it was expected that gas and power supply would be back to normal and explained that the increase in power generation to the national grid was an indication that gas supply had improved.
The electricity grid witnessed a sharp drop in power generation on Friday and Saturday, losing 1,087.6 megawatts as about eight power stations were forced to shut down operations due to the rupturing of the gas pipeline.
Power generation had plunged to about 2,905MW on Friday from 3,992.6MW the preceding day, following the rupturing of the gas pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company as well as technical issues at the gas wells of an international oil company, Shell, on June 16.
The TCN commended the NNPC and the NGC for the quick intervention, and also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the power generation and distribution companies and electricity customers for their cooperation during the crisis period.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, stated that as soon as the gas build up was completed, the affected generating stations would resume normal power generation to the grid.
She noted that through the implementation of the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, the TCN had commenced the construction of new substations as well as upgrading of existing ones and transmission lines across the country.
“This is expected to further stabilise the grid and also put necessary flexibility and redundancy in line with N-1 capacity,” Mbah added.
