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The poor electricity situation nationwide has worsened with the decline of power supply to the national grid.
Many communities across the length and breadth of the country have since last month been experiencing low energy supply and in some instances, outright blackouts, reports The Nation.
Yesterday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the low power supply to the national grid.
It announced the cut in load allocation to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
It has been reduced to 3,134 megawatts (MW) from the meagre 3,814.68mw generated.
According to the Independent System Operator (ISO) of the TCN, the decline was due to gas constraints.
The transmission company noted that allocation to the DisCos, which stood at 3,944mw on Tuesday, rose marginally on Wednesday to 4,004mw before it dropped to 3,134mw yesterday.
TCN General Manager (Public Affairs), Ndidi Mbah, said in a statement that the company was working in partnership with stakeholders to keep the grid intact despite the current low power generated into the system.
According to him, the TCN was limited to what is generated at any moment.
The statement reads: “The TCN hereby announces that there has been a gradual decrease in available generation into the grid due to gas constraints to the thermal generating companies.
“This has impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide.
“TCN is doing everything possible in collaboration with stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that it continues to keep the grid intact in spite of the current low power generated into the system.
“Consequent upon the current load on the grid, load distributed to the distribution load centres have also reduced, as TCN can only transmit what is generated.
“TCN is committed to ensuring a gradual increase in electricity supply to load centres as gas improves to power available thermal plants.
“Please bear with us as we continue to work with the stakeholders in the value chain to ensure that supply through distribution companies to electricity consumers nationwide improves.”
DisCos apologise
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) lamented the low load allocation.
According to the energy distributor which services Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo, the constraint was beyond the DisCos, blaming its limited allocation supply from the national grid.
The BEDC management, in its apology to its customers on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, said: “We wish to inform you that the reduction in supply hours currently being experienced in our franchise states (Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo States) is due to constraint beyond our control, specifically limitations in allocation from the national grid.
“The inconvenience is regret and we sincerely apologise for any disruption to your daily routines.
“Please be assured that we are working diligently with all stakeholders to improve the situation and resume regular supply as soon as possible.
“We also wish to apologise for the delay in meeting the earlier publicised timeline for maintenance of the Sapele Transmission Substation and Ihovbor Transmission Substation. This delay is due to prevailing technical factors.
“However, we want to assure you that the work on both substations is progressing well. We anticipate completing the maintenance process and restoring full capacity soon.”
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on its official X handle apologised to its customers.
“Kindly be informed that the present reduction in power supply across our network is due to gas shortages and other related issues arising from the generating companies.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused even as we work with our partners for speedy resolution. Kindly bear with us,” the EKEDC wrote.
Head of Media Relations, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBDEC), said the situation has hampered supply to its esteemed customers across its network.
IBDEC said in a statement: “Dear Esteemed Customer, kindly be informed that the drop in electricity supply currently being experienced is a result of the load allocation constraints across our franchise from the national grid.
“We are working with stakeholders in the electricity value chain on a sustainable resolution. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appeal for your understanding.”
Minister: Boost for national grid coming
Meanwhile, while Nigeria struggles with generation capacity, South Africa and Egypt lead on the continent as the countries with the highest electricity generation capacity.
In South Africa, domestic power generation currently stands at 58,095 megawatts (MW) from all sources, according to figures from the country’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.
Of this figure, coal-fired electricity remains by far the major energy source for the country, accounting for about 80 per cent of the country’s energy mix.
Others like Hydro contribute 3,485 MW; thermal, 48,380 MW; wind, 2,323 MW; solar, 2,323 MW, and other sources contribute 580 MW.
In Egypt, the total amount of installed electricity generation capacity as of September 2023, stood at 58,818 megawatts.
But Nigeria’s national grid may soon get a boost with the addition of 30 megawatts from the Kashimbilla hydropower plant.
The addition is expected to facilitate the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Taraba and Benue states.
Surrounding communities in Taraba, especially those displaced by the Dam construction, are already benefitting from the 10 megawatts currently being distributed directly from the 40 megawatts capacity plant.
Speaking during the inspection of the plant and the 56 km, 132KV transmission line from Yandev to Makurdi in Benue, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the Kashimbilla plant with its state-of-the-art technology was working effectively.
Adelabu, who also visited the 132/33KV substation in Amua, Gboko Local government area of Benue, said the four turbines installed in the Kashimbilla power plant were working well and generating 100 per cent of the installed capacity.
The power plant has an installed capacity of 40 megawatts but only 10 megawatts are currently being evacuated.
Enugu community grounds power project
A multi-billion naira 260/133KV completed power sub-station located at the 9th Mile Corner, Udi Local Council, Enugu State, has been grounded.
This follows a lawsuit against the contractor by some members of the community.
The sub-station contract, which was awarded by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to boost supplies around the 9th Mile industrial area and Nsukka, had since been completed and nearing 80 per cent energisation.
But, a suit brought against one of the contractors, Pivot Engineering Company, kept the project out of use and under the threat of vandals.
According to the TCN General Manager, Enugu Region, Emma Akpa, who took reporters around the facility, the aggrieved community members claim that they were short-changed during settlement for passage rites and, therefore, went to court to stop the work.
Akpa said when the contract was awarded two years ago, the Federal Government engaged two contractors, Pivot contractors, to handle the energisation line, while the NBH contractors were required to build the sub-station.
He, however, lamented that since the project stalled in early 2023, no fewer than 12 towers had been vandalised at the sub-station, as the suit subsists.
Delta women protest blackout, high bills
Also yesterday, hundreds of women in Effurun metropolis of Delta State protested against BEDC over high electricity bills despite almost a year blackout.
The protest which began late morning, left motorists and commuters plying the East/West Road and NPA Highway stranded at the Effurun Roundabout until evening.
Women with their babies strapped behind them were part of the protest.
Bearing placards, leaves and stainless pans with sticks, the women from Alegbo, Masoje and Uti areas marched through PTI Road to Jakpa Junction and on to Effurun Roundabout, through the Effurun/Sapele Road.
Chanting “no light, no bill”, they vowed not to end the protest until the relevant authorities addressed the situation.
