FG Gives Update on Electricity Situation, Says Restoration of Regular Power Supply Imminent
- An emergency meeting convened by the minister of power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, on Monday, March 14 is producing results already
- The meeting was geared towards the restoration of normal supply of electricity supply nationwide and the development of a framework for sustainable improvement of supply
- The minister has given an update on the steps taken so far to address the situation and ensure it does not occur again
FCT, Abuja - The federal government has given an update on the progress so far made to address the recent challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
Nigeria was recently thrown into darkness after the national grid lost about 00mw generation capacity as a consequence of simultaneous disruptions in gas supply to the Okpai, Calabar, and the Afam VI power plants.
Source: Facebook
The available generation capacity was further exacerbated by the ongoing water management regime at the Kainii, Jebba, and Shiroro power plants.
But, progress has been made so far by the ministry of power under the leadership of Engr. Abubakar Aliyu.
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In a statement he personally signed on Saturday, March 19, the minister said the progress so far made includes, amongst many other initiatives, the following:
1. The gas pipeline affected by acts of vandalism has been restored and the Okpai power plant has resumed power generation and currently contributing an average of 300mw.
2. The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc has been directed to enter into fast-track negotiation with NAOC on an interim energy sales agreement with a view to bringing the new Okpai Il power plant on the grid thereby contributing an additional 400mw of generation capacity.
3. The "pigging" of the gas pipeline supplying gas to the Odukpani power plant is scheduled for completion on March 21st, 2022 thus ramping up generation by about 400mw.
4. In order to optimise the capacity utilisation of the power plants owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a special gas pricing for emergency contracting of gas from the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Ltd. We expect an on-grid improvement of about 800M YV generation capacity from the NDPHC plants.
5. In the medium-term, we have agreed with NGPIC (a subsidiary of NNPC) on the framework for the overhaul of the Okoloma gas processing plant thereby restoring the full capacity of the 650MW Afam VI combined cycle power plant.
6. While the recent spate of system collapse is regrettable, it was a direct consequence of a snap on a 330kV transmission line.
The minister assured Nigerians that the mitigation measures for avoiding such incidence of blackouts are being implemented through several interventions including the Presidential Power Initiative.
He stated that all electricity consumers that all relevant agencies involved in the restoration of normality in power supply have been charged to act in the context of the emergency state of the industry.
FG to construct its first nuclear power plant, signs agreement with Russia, Pakistan
Meanwhile, the federal government has stated that bids for the building of a 4000 megawatts nuclear power plant is now open.
This was revealed by Dr. Yau Idris, Director General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, during the ongoing Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja.
If the bids are successful and construction is finished, Idris claims that the factory would be the largest power plant in the country.
Schneider Electric moves to address energy deficit in Nigeria
In a related development, Schneider Electric has introduced its new range of microgrid solutions in a workshop themed “Transforming Africa’s Energy Future,” held in Lagos recently.
The one-day workshop gave the energy management company the opportunity to notify the Nigerian market about its new microgrid solutions and communicate on what it is doing next to address the energy deficit sustainably in Africa, beginning with Nigeria.
In accordance with the federal government’s pursuit of a 2060 Net Zero energy transition goal, Schneider Electric believes its re-engineered microgrid system will strengthen the pursuit of a decarbonized environment and a sustainable energy future in Nigeria and across Africa.
Source: Legit.ng
