Transmission Companies of Nigeria (TCN) has been put to task over the current blackout the country is going through by the power generation companies (Gencos), who are demanding full disclosure from the TCN on the blackout being experienced in the country.
The companies, speaking through its spokesperson, Joy Ogaji, executive secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), have demanded clarification from the TCN on the true position/state of power supply during the long weekend/Eid Malud holiday marking the end of one-month of Ramadan.
The APGC faulted the position of the TCN on the total grid collapsed and required additional clarification from the agency based on what it described as available facts.
The Gencos scribe said it want clarification on the followings: (a) How does it, TCN, explains the instruction from National Control Centre (NCC), an arm of TCN, to Gencos not on the Escravos – Lagos Gas Pipeline Service (ELPS) and hydro power companies to ramp down, – meaning that they should not shut down completely their operations possible because of shortage of gas supply to the power plants. (b). It also wants to know why there was no effective planning by TCN to forestall the current crises, given the fact that the National Gas Company (NGC) communicated the notice of its intention to carry out temporary repairs.
According to Ogaji, when answers to these questions are provided, the APGC/GENCOS will respond appropriately to TCN management on issues bothering on generations.
The TCN had stated that as a result of gas pipeline rupture on June 15, as well as technical issues at the Shell gas wells on June 16, 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 said six 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, 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. TCN noted that there has been no collapse of the grid as has been reported.
Meanwhile, the company appealed for understanding and assured that its engineers are working hard to continue to maintain the stability of the grid, pending completion of repairs of the gas pipeline by NGC and restoration of full gas supply to the affected generating stations.
