.NLC rejects FG’s N4tr to operators
In the allocation received, Ibadan Disco had the largest share of 50 MW, followed by Enugu with 40 MW. Abuja was left with just 20 MW while Benin Disco managed 10 MW. Ikeja, Eko, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Port Harcourt and Yola DisCos received nothing, meaning millions of homes and businesses were without supply.
By Our Reporter
The nation’s electricity sector witnessed another setback on Wednesday following collapse of the national grid, resulting in power outage in many parts of the country despite the unbundling of the transmission segment of the power sector which many had thought would help strengthen the sector against frequent collapse.
Power facilities in the country have become vulnerable in the face of increased flooding and thunderstorms, leading to power cuts in many parts of the country and affecting industries, businesses and homes.
In the wake of the latest grid collapse, Nigerian System Operator (NISO), Wednesday attributed the development to a generation company and is being investigated, just as the Association of Power Generation Companies (GenCos) declared that over N66 billion or 1,866MW had been lost in the last eight months to load rejections.
The national grid collapse led to grid load falling significantly from about 4,500 megawatts (MW) to just 120 MW, based on real-time data from NISO.
As to how The collapse has affected operations, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, confirmed the incident in a notice, informing customers of “a total loss of supply from the national grid” and assuring that efforts were underway with stakeholders to restore power once stability was achieved.
The Guardian reports that at the time of the collapse, only four of the country’s 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) got allocation.
In the allocation received, Ibadan Disco had the largest share of 50 MW, followed by Enugu with 40 MW. Abuja was left with just 20 MW while Benin Disco managed 10 MW. Ikeja, Eko, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Port Harcourt and Yola DisCos received nothing, meaning millions of homes and businesses were without supply.
At about 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday some impressive progress had been made to restore the system. NISO data showed that 1,194 MW had been recovered from 21 plants connected to the national grid. Zungeru led with 175 MW, followed by Azura with 291 MW, Afam with 218 MW, Okpai with 258 MW and Delta with 179 MW.
But despite the progress made, 13 other power plants still reported zero generation, reflecting the scale of the disturbance. A further update at 5:37 p.m. confirmed that total generation had stabilised at 1,055 MW, with power restored to all the 11 DisCos. Abuja, Enugu and Ikeja DisCos each received 150 MW, while Ibadan Disco had 120 MW. Eko was allocated 100 MW, Kaduna 95 MW, Kano 90 MW, Benin 60 MW, Jos and Port Harcourt 50 MW each, and Yola 40 MW. Although this represented a significant improvement from the near-total blackout earlier in the day, supply remained well below national demand.
NISO, in a statement explained that the collapse was caused by the tripping of a generation company (GenCo), which caused a sharp load drop spreading across to other plants.
In a swift reaction to the development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described the collapse of the national grid as utter disgust, calling for a comprehensive public audit of the entire power sector since privatisation failed.
NLC said this has become necessary for a fundamental review of the privatisation model itself, with a view to reviving the critical sector. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement yesterday, said that the continued collapse of the national grid was a direct attack on the country’s national productivity.
Comrade Ajaero Ajaero emphasized that since the government said it had N4 trillion to invest in the sector, he suggested that the funds be redirected towards a public-led initiative to build new generation capacity and revitalise the transmission infrastructure instead of handing it over to the GenCos and DisCos.
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