Nine power plants shut-in 2044MW

• Generation sustains sliding profile • Discos tie power outages to low output

More gloomy days are ahead for Nigerians, as the Federal Ministry of Power yesterday confirmed that the power generation has dropped further to 3,659.74 Mega Watts (MW).

Already, about nine power generating stations across the country have been either completely or partly paralysed due to gas supply challenges, forcing the national grid to shut-in about 2044Mega Watts (MW) of electricity.

This situation would apparently worsen the already abysmal state of electricity supply in country, which has left consumers at cross road on the future of the troubled power sector.

According to the National Statistics on Generation Profile document obtained by The Guardian, nine stations were affected partially due to shortfall in gas supply.

As at yesterday, Olorunshogo National Integrated Power Plant (NIPP) was completely shutting-in 600MW; Sapele NIPP shuts-in112.5 MW; Omotosho (Gas), 190MW; Geregu NIPP, 145MW; Delta, 340MW; Omotosho NIPP120MW; Egbin 440MW; Olorunshogo (Gas) 38MW due to gas shortage; while Odukpani was shutting-in 59.1MW due to water constraints.

The Federal Ministry of Power statistics showed that power generation stood at 3659.74MW as at 27th February, while the energy sent out was 3,594.71MW. This was against the 3,697MW recorded last week.

As Nigerians continue to fume over the dwindling power supply in recent times, the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) have attributed the incessant blackout to drop in power generation.

The firms flayed the allegation of sabotage in the system due to the controversies trailing the new tariff regime.

The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) Sunday Olurotimi Odutan, told The Guardian yesterday that the companies could not have done such alleged sabotage because it would also have impact on their respective revenue generations.

He said in a short text message on the sabotage allegation: “This is a complete lie. We have no reason to do that. Pipeline vandalism caused the drop in power generation,”

The Head, Corporate Communications, Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) Idemudia Godwin, also said the power supply instability was partly due to inadequate bulk electricity load allocation to the company from the national grid.

This, according to him, arose from a drop in the national generation level as a result of incessant acts of vandalism on gas pipelines and transmission towers.

Idemudia said the situation was not limited to Eko Disco coverage areas alone, adding that since the problem had to do with low generation level, all parts of the country were affected.

He said the situation had led to acute power rationing in all areas within the company’s operational territory.

He listed the areas worst hit by the resultant power rationing within its operational area to include, Surulere, Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju, Mushin, Apapa, Yaba and their environs.

“EKEDP is appealing to all its customers to please bear with the situation and assured that the company is doing all within its powers to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of ava ilable power to all customers pending the time there would be a significant improvement in the national power generation level,” he said.