This is really unbelievable to hear that 18 of Nigeria’s power plants shut down .
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said 18 power plants out of the 23 available are down due to shortage of gas supply to them.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said the Commission noticed with concern the acute shortage in power supply and the attendant hardship for Nigerians.
Many banks sent emails and text messages warning of early closure of banking activities by 1:00pm, a situation they attributed to shortage of fuel and worse power outage ever. He said the situation is worsened by the ongoing industrial actions of oil and gas workers which has constrained the supply of gas to the electricity plants.
While appealing for calm from consumers on the blackouts, NERC said the Nigeria Gas Company disclosed high incidence of vandalism of pipeline networks but assured that repair works are being intensified.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has quickly called on oil workers who just ended their strike, to take remedial steps to restore gas supply to the nation’s power stations in national interest.
In a statement, Prof. Nebo said the action resulted in the shutdown of gas plants including Utorogu, Chevron Oredo, and Oben in the western axis, while Ughelli and CNL Escravos are all isolated already.
These caused several power plants to become stranded and compelled to shut down, he said.
Some affected power plants include Egbin, Olorunsogo I & II, Omotosho I & II, Geregu I & II.
Others affected are Ihovbor and Sapele NIPP plants slated for commissioning, while its sister plant, Alaoji commissioned in March, was also affected.
Meanwhile, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Concessionaires of Kainji and Jebba Power Plants, said that there has been no breakdown at Kainji and Jebba plants.
The company said that at time of the system collapse, the generating Units were on the National Grid. The Units Separated due to the National Grid failure.
It should also be noted that effort has been made by the National Control Center to Black Start the System using Kainji Power Plant. Kainji and Jebba Power Plants remain available to supply power as soon as the National grid is restored.
Finally, since Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited took over Kainji and Jebba plants in November, 2013, the company has not only stabilized operations of the power plants but has also increased generation capacity of the plants despite various frustrations.
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