Nigeria’s power grid collapses again
Story from Adah ABAH, Abuja
Another system collapse has occurred of the Nigerian national power grid plunging the country into total darkness at about 6pm on Sunday.
Apologising to customers within its franchise area in a notice it placed, Kaduna Electric affirmed that the power outage experienced in its franchise states was due to the system collapse which happened at the time.
The statement signed by the distribution company’s Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, however assured customers that supply would be restored as soon as the grid was powered back.
“We regret to inform you that the power outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to System collapse of the national grid. The collapse occured at about 18:47 pm this evening hence the loss of supply on all our outgoing feeders.
“Power supply shall be restored as soon as the National Grid is powered back.
“Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience,” the company said.
In the same vein, AEDC through its verified Facebook page on Sunday night appealed to its Abuja customers and those within its areas of operation for understanding as concerned authorities were working tirelessly to restore power supply.
The notice signed by AEDC’s management stated in part, “Please be informed that the current power outage is due to a system failure from the National Grid. The system collapsed at about 6.49pm today 12th June, 2022, causing the outage currently being experienced.
“We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply.”
This is the 5th collapse in their series in last four months.
It is without doubt too that the franchise areas of the other distribution companies (DisCos) were plunged into darkness, given that they all feed from one centralised grid.
The grid collapse occurred for the first time this year when on February 4, Egbin, Nigeria’s largest thermal power plant suspended generation due to a fire outbreak at the Ikorodu, Lagos plant, leading to the loss of 6.30mw from the grid, according to the TCN.
Also on March 14, the national power grid collapsed again, causing a nationwide outage as the entire system crashed due to the loss of 1,100 megawatts from a 3,700mw peak generation earlier recorded and later crashed to zero generation and supply
Another collapse also occurred the next day, barely 48 hours, further compounding the situation, especially as it happened at the time the country was thrown into an acute energy crisis with petrol, diesel, gas and aviation fuel going out of the reach of the common man and businesses.
As at the time of filing this report, no explaining had yet been given by concerned authorities regarding the latest collapse.
The federal government had blamed the previous ones mainly on gas crunch occasioned by pipeline vandalisation, shut down of one transmission substation or another for repair or system upgrade, while assuring members of the public that efforts were on top gear to curb the menace of grid failure which has become so rampant in the country.
As at April, it was widely reported that pursuant to the government’s quest to put an end to the incessant grid collapses, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved N1.4 billion for the supply of more equipment for the upgrade of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to boost electricity supply across the country.
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