TCN denies collapse of national power grid
- TCN says the fall in generated electricity necessitated load shedding but denies that total collapse of the national power grid
- The company said the fall in generation was because of a pipeline rupture on Friday, June 15 and technical issues with Shell gas on Saturday, June 16
- Several stations lost power, it said, while some others were shut down to allow for repairs of the pipeline
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said electricity generated into the national grid fell by 1,087.6 MW but denied the collapse of the grid.
Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager Public Affairs said the fall in electricity generated led to load shedding nationwide. She said it was done to maintain stability of the grid.
According to TCN, the sharp drop of power was occasioned by gas pipeline rupture on June 15, and technical issues at the Shell gas wells on June 16.
READ ALSO: 5 suspected ‘one-chance’ robbers who killed their victim with hammer arrested in Abuja (photo)
TCN explained that six thermal power generating stations were currently unable to generate electricity and have therefore been shut down due to the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) pipeline incident.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the company listed the affected power stations as Ihovbor, Azura, Omotosho Gas, Geregu Gas, Olorunsogo Gas, Sapele and the Egbin power stations.
TCN said the six power generating thermal stations had managed to generate 60MW only on each of its units, losing a total of 211MW.
The company also said Afam VI power station was shut down so that Shell oil company could resolve its gas well issues to enable it commence gas supply to Afam VI power station.
“With a total loss of 1,087.6MW into the grid, the transmission system has become quite fragile and TCN is working hard to avert a collapse of the system, by engaging in load-shedding.
“Load-shedding, is to ensure that available generation is commensurate with what is allocated to DisCos nationwide, to create a balance and avert grid instability.“
The TCN spokesperson also said NGC was making efforts to ensure that the gas pipeline issues are resolved to restore normal gas supply to affected power generating stations,to enable them generate into the grid.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
The company also said that Shell had in the morning hours of June 17 resolved its gas well issue and gas supply partially restored to Afam VI power station.
TCN also noted that there was no collapse of the grid as was reported in some quarters.
The company appealed for understanding, adding that TCN engineers were working hard to maintain stability of the grid, pending completion of repairs of gas pipeline by NGC and restoration of full gas supply to affected generating stations.
Recall that Legit.ng had reported through Punch that the national power grip reportedly collapsed on Saturday, June 16, plunging the whole country into total darkness.
According to the report that all the nation’s power plants were shut down following the system collapse.
The newspaper quoted a top executive of one of the nation’s electricity distribution companies who spoke on the condition of anonymity as confirming the reported collapse of the power grid.
Nigerian electricity crisis explained - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
