Nigeria’s power generation drops further to 1,657MW as plant collapses

10 Mar 2016
Chibuike Oguh

Summary

Power generation dropped from 5,074MW peak generation reported on February 2, 2016, to 3,659.74 on March 2, and has further declined 54 percent to the current level.

Nigerian Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola

Nigerians are set to experience a prolonged period of power failure as electricity generation has dropped to below 2,000MW due to a partial system collapse at one of the nation’s major power plants and gas supply challenges.

Electricity generation fell to 1,656.80MW as at 2.27pm on Thursday, according to data obtained from the website of the Nigeria Electricity System Operator (NESO).

Power generation dropped from 5,074MW peak generation reported on February 2, 2016, to 3,659.74 on March 2, and has further declined 54 percent to the current level reported today.

The drop from 5,074MW was attributed to gas pipeline vandalisation that led nine power generation plants to collectively shut in 2,044MW of power generation. The further decline in power generation is as a result of partial system collapse at Shiroro power station, which generates 600MW of electricity from the Kaduna River in Niger State.
 
With power generation at 1,656.80MW, data from NESO showed that Ikeja Distribution Company (DISCO) was allocated 248.52MW; Abuja DISCO, 190.53MW; Eko DISCO, 182.25MW; Benin DISCO, 149.11MW; Enugu DISCO, 149.11MW; and Ibadan DISCO, 215.38MW.

Others are Jos DISCO, 91.12MW; Kano DISCO, 132.54MW, Kaduna DISCO, 132.54MW; Port Harcourt DISCO, 107.69; and Yola DISCO, 57.99MW.

The drop in power generation has also been blamed on sabotage by power companies who are unhappy about the resistance to the 45 percent increase in electricity tariffs proposed by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).  The NERC said the new tariff regime, which was to take effect on February 1, would attract investment in the power sector. The regulator also said the increase in tariff will enhance service delivery and customers’ satisfaction.

However, many consumers have rejected the increase insisting that it must be justified by improvement in power supply. The debate has also involved the Nigerian Senate which has asked the NERC to suspend the tariff increase pending a dialogue with stakeholders. There is also a subsisting court case at the Federal High Court in Lagos restraining the regulator from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff.


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