The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has stated that there is significant improvement in gas supply to power generating plants across the country to ameliorate the current black out being experienced.
According to TCN, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has restored the ruptured pipeline and gas is gradually building up in most generating stations and in a day or two day it is expected that gas and power supply would be back to normal.
“An indication that gas supply has improved is the increase in power generation into the National Grid, as reported by the NCC, has risen to 3,876.9MW as at 17.00hrs on Monday, 18th June, 2018”, said Ndidi Mbah, general manager public affairs of TCN
She said TCN wishes to use this opportunity to commend NNPC especially NGC for the quick intervention and also appreciates the Ministry of Power, GenCos, Discos and electricity customers for their cooperation during the crises period.
According to her as soon as the gas build up is completed, affected generating stations will resume normal generation into the grid.
The statement further noted that through the implementation of Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program, TCN is building new substations as well as upgrading existing ones and transmission lines all over the country. This is expected to further stabilize the Grid and also put necessary flexibility and redundancy in line with N-1 capacity. TCN will continue to count on all Nigerians for support and understanding as it continues to expand the nations’ grid
The Transmission Company of Nigeria had stated that as a result of gas pipeline rupture on the 15th of June, 2018, as well as technical issues at the Shell gas wells on the 16th of June, there has been a sharp drop in generation into the grid by a total of 1,087.6MW, resulting in load-shedding nationwide, necessary to maintain stability of the grid.
Due to the NGC pipeline incident, TCN had said that six (6) thermal power generating stations are currently unable to generate electricity and have therefore been shut down. The affected power stations include the Ihovbor, Azura, Omotosho gas, Geregu gas, Olorunsogo gas, Sapele and the Egbin Power Station which has managed to generate 60MW only on each of its units, losing a total of 211MW.
Also, Afam VI power station was shut down so that Shell Oil Company can resolve its gas well issues to enable it commence gas supply to Afam VI power station.
According to Ndidi Mbah, the general manager public Affairs, with a total loss of 1,087.6MW into the grid, the transmission system has become quite fragile and that TCN is working hard to avert a collapse of the system, by engaging in load-shedding. Load-shedding, she explained, is to ensure that available generation is commensurate with what is allocated to discos nationwide, to create a balance and avert grid instability.
The release further noted that NGC is making efforts to ensure that the gas pipeline issues are resolved in order to restore normal gas supply to the affected power generating stations, to enable them generate into the grid. Meanwhile Shell has resolved its gas well issue this morning and gas supply partially restored to Afam VI.
