Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) yesterday commenced load shedding across their networks following a sharp deterioration in power generation on the national grid, which plunged to 1,132.02 megawatts (MW) at 8:30pm.
The development, which pointed to a partial collapse of the national grid, was reflected in real-time data on the Nigerian Independent System Operator’s (NISO) grid performance dashboard, as several major generating plants recorded zero output.
Eko Disco in a notice to its customers, confirmed the supply disruption, stating: “We are experiencing load shedding across our network. This is due to low allocation from the grid. Please bear with us.”
The low grid allocation came as only 10 generating companies were contributing to the system at the time of the 8:30pm reading, with a number of major power plants recording no generation.
Earlier, it had fallen to as low as 700MW before the ramp-up. However, at 9pm it had risen to 1,793.79MW as authorities worked to restore supply to the over 4,000MW reported earlier in the day.
Jebba Hydroelectric Power Plant was the largest contributor at 483MW, followed by Omotosho at 162.80MW, Olorunsogo at 115MW, Paras Energy at 80.10MW and Afam III Fast Power at 76.10MW.
Dadinkowa contributed 37.82MW, Omoku generated 34.70MW, while Sapele Steam recorded 24.80MW.
However, Egbin, Geregu, Geregu NIPP, Kainji, Delta, Alaoji NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP, Okpai, Shiroro, Taopex, Trans Afam Power and Zungeru were all recording zero output on the dashboard at the time.
The sharp fall in generation meant that the volume of electricity available for transmission to Discos was significantly constrained, forcing distribution companies to reduce the amount of power supplied to customers.
The latest development adds to concerns over the stability of Nigeria’s electricity system, which has suffered repeated system disturbances and grid collapses in recent years.
NISO and other relevant power sector authorities had yet to issue an explanation for the sharp reduction in generation as of the time of filing this report. This is the first grid disturbance under the new Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
Nigeria’s power system remains heavily dependent on gas-fired generation, while the transmission network continues to face capacity and reliability constraints. Previous assessments had also identified ageing infrastructure, vandalism and inadequate gas supply, among factors that had contributed to electricity supply disruptions.