NATIONAL NATIONAL News

National Grid Collapses For The Fifth Time

Written by Bunmi Abdulraheem

The National Grid has begun a gradual recovery process after it collapsed for the fifth time this year resulting in nationwide power outage.

No reason has been given by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, for the collapse which was reported to have occurred at 6.49pm on Sunday.

Checks on the grid data released by the National System Operator showed that as of 7am Monday, the grid has recovered to 623.20 Megawatts with seven plants in operation.

On Sunday that Nigeria’s largest power plant, Egbin Power with 1,050MW capacity was out as generation to the national grid failed to improve.

The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu had last week attributed the low electricity supply across the country to gas supply challenges.

The Minister in a statement by his media aide, Malam Isa Sanusi explained that the “dip in electricity generation is as a result of the partial shutdown of the Oben gas plant to address the repair of critical gas processing equipment”.

The government noted that the “incident unfortunately occurred at a time when other power plants on other gas sources are undergoing planned maintenance and capacity testing.

“We wish to notify the public that Seplat Energy Plc has mobilized equipment, material and personnel to site with a view to expediting the restoration of normal gas supply to the affected power plants. 

RN