Blackout persists as more power stations shut down

16 solar projects suffer setback
Nigeria’s power sector crisis yesterday appeared messier as indications emerged that more power stations were shutting down due to gas supply constraints, water management and transmission line problems.

Indeed, the national grid recorded another system collapse yesterday bringing the generation down to 169 Mega Watts (MW) from 2633MW on Sunday.

This is the sixth time in 23 days that generation would drop below 1000MW, indicating an incessant blackout for consumers.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Hakeem Bello, told The Guardian yesterday that “all hands are on deck to checkmate the situation”.

Also, an industry data obtained by The Guardian showed that seven power stations are completely shut down while others have some of their units partially closed, thereby shutting-in about 3599MW generation to gas shortages; 247MW to line constraints and 560MW to water management/maintenance.

It, however, could not be ascertained how many stations were working as at yesterday, but feelers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) showed that generation went abysmally low to 169MW.

The stations affected include Shiroro (450MW); Sapele (240MW); Geregu (138MW); Olorunsogo NIPP (500MW); Omotosho NIPP (500MW); Trans Amadi (75MW); Rivers (180MW) among others.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, has attributed the problem to acts of sabotage by the Niger Delta militants who have been attacking gas pipelines in recent times.

He, therefore, enjoined the Federal Government to devise a means of tackling the menace before it grounds the sector.

Similarly, the nation’s 16 solar power projects with combined capacity of 1,300 MW have suffered a setback owing to lack of bankable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has therefore called on solar power promoters and sponsors to find lasting solution to issues hindering their operations across the federation.