The challenge of power supply in Nigeria has been an issue on the front-burner on a daily basis with Nigerians calling for the Federal to change the fortune of the sector. READ ALSO: Coronavirus: UBA Cancels 2020 CEO Awards Ceremony
This problem may not be far-fetched as the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has said that the shortage of power supply currently being experienced in the country is caused by the low supply of gas.
Making this known in a statement in Abuja, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, hinted that the gas shortage had made it difficult for many thermal power stations around the country to generate power optimally.
Mbah said that the thermal power plants affected by the shortage of gas supply include Sapele National Integrated Power Plant, Olorunsogo NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP and Azura Edo power plants while adding that the power plants generated zero Megawatts on Friday.
Expressing her disappointment over the development, She added: “Other thermal power plants equally affected but generated at lower capacities include Egbin (Steam) Sapele (Steam) Delta (gas) Geregu (gas) and Omotosho(gas).
“Also affected are Olorusogo (gas) Geregu NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Okpai (Gas/Steam) and Omoku (gas) power generating plants.”
Mbah said as a result of the continuous shortage in the supply of gas, there had been a significant reduction in the quantum of power transmitted to various distribution companies for onward supply to electricity consumers across the country.
On the way forward, she said that TCN had discussed with the management of some of the affected power plants on the measures that are being taken to address the niggling power issue that has spanned decades.
She claimed that many of the power distributing companies attributed their challenges to gas pipeline processing and the maintenance being carried out by their gas suppliers.
She added: “According to the management of some of the affected power plants, the maintenance of gas facilities is expected to last for 10 days.
“It is expected that the gas supply challenges will ease before the end of next week.”
Nigerians are hoping for a stable supply of power as business owners would no longer spend so much on fuel and many businesses would survive the harsh economic condition of the country.
