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Power generation on the national system fell to 59.9 megawatts about 12 p.m. on Sunday, as the country’s grid failed nationwide.
According to data from the Federal Ministry of Power, electricity generation on the system dropped from 2,658.75MW at 11 a.m. to 59.9MW by 12 p.m. on Sunday, as power distributors lost supply from the grid.
This resulted in widespread blackouts across the country, which electricity distribution firms blamed on the failure of the grid run by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, a Federal Government entity.
Kaduna Disco, for example, stated that the interruption of bulk power supplies caused darkness in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states on Sunday.
Additionally, the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc advised its consumers in a public notice that “the power outage being experienced is as a result of a system failure from the national grid at 11:21 hours today, February 4, 2024, which has led to a nationwide power outage.”
It did, however, add, “Be assured that we are working with the appropriate stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilized.” We ask for your patience.
Abdulazeez Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Communications at Kaduna Disco, acknowledged the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Abdullahi, the power supply will be restored as soon as the Disco receives bulk supply at load centers throughout its franchise.
“The management of Kaduna Electric wishes to inform its esteemed customers that it has lost bulk power supply, resulting in the current outage in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.”
“Power will be restored to our clients as soon as we obtain it at load centers throughout our franchise. We sincerely regret for any inconvenience,” the message added.
According to TCN figures, after collapsing to 59.9MW about 12 pm, electricity generation on the grid increased to 174MW by 1 pm, and then to 446.7MW and 776.2MW between 2 and 3 pm.
It fell slightly to 709MW around 4 p.m., increased to 996.5MW at 5 p.m., and reached 1,051.4MW about 6 p.m., when this report was being compiled.
Remember that on December 12, 2023, The PUNCH reported that Nigeria experienced a system failure of its national grid, resulting in a drop in electricity generation from 4,032.8MW to 43.5MW the previous day.
Power generating numbers collected from TCN at the time showed that electricity on the system increased to 115.4MW about 3 p.m. on December 11, 2023, before climbing to 240.9MW around 4 p.m.
It reached 544.9MW at 5 p.m. and remained on an increasing trend as TCN worked to restore the national grid.
Commenting on the situation at the time, the transmission company’s spokeswoman, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the grid’s collapse but was quick to point out that TCN experts had restored it.
“The grid collapsed today (Monday).” It (supply) has now been restored, with the exception of the Jos axis, which will receive supplies within the hour. The collapse occurred at 13.49 pm this afternoon. “It is now completely restored by 18.51 p.m.,” she remarked.
In September of last year, Nigeria’s electricity grid had a series of breakdowns, prompting power consumers to blame the system’s managers for the grid’s constant failure.
On September 20, 2023, The PUNCH reported that Nigeria had another wave of massive blackouts the day before when the national power grid collapsed for the third time in around five days.
This is despite the Federal Government privatising the power sector’s major generation and transmission units in November 2013.
Meanwhile, the power ministry revealed in a statement on Sunday that the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, met with top management teams from power generation and distribution businesses in an effort to find a long-term solution to Nigeria’s blackouts.
Adelabu, according to Bolaji Tunji, the minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, stated that there was a considerable increase in power supply during the holiday season, but the situation worsened in the new year, with low supply leading to blackouts.
The minister said his inquiry indicated that the inadequate supply was due to low gas supply to Gencos.
“Inspection visits to electricity plants in Olorunshogo, Ogun State, and Omotosho, Ondo State, were motivated by a desire to grasp the issues firsthand. The issue can be traced back to a lack of gas, which we must address as soon as possible,” he remarked.
The meeting also examined Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company’s debt to Gencos.
“We are aware that the sector has liquidity challenges, but we need to have a minimum threshold, we are working on revalidating the debt and determining a fair resolution,” Adelabu went on to say.
He also discussed the need for Gencos to enter into contractual agreements with gas suppliers to ensure a consistent supply of gas to generating businesses.
“We know that there are certain concessions expected of the government before this could be achieved and we are willing to work on this to stabilise the power sector,” the minister went on to say.
To overcome the gas deadlock and liquidity crisis, the minister informed power sector operators that a committee of all stakeholders would be formed to make appropriate suggestions.
“To address the gas supply and liquidity difficulties, I’ve decided to convene a committee of all parties. “We will work together to develop recommendations to address these issues and ensure a more reliable and consistent power supply for our citizens,” he said.
