GenCos short of gas as electricity consumers face blackouts

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Shortage of gas has hit 16 power Generating Companies (GenCos) causing power generation at its highest point to drop to 3,675 megawatts (MW) Saturday, March 7. Electricity operators said the drop in power supply would continue for 10 more days until scheduled maintenance is completed on the gas pipelines.

Agency report indicates that the daily power generation statistics from the Independent System Operator (ISO), a section of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) puts peak generation at 4,055MW Friday, but dropped to 3,236MW at the close of the day. By Saturday, the peak generation had dropped to 3,675MW causing a loss of 380MW early Saturday.

Similarly, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, Spokesperson of TCN, in a statement said, “the nation’s power sector is experiencing power supply shortage caused by low gas supply which has restrained the ability of many thermal power stations to generate optimally.”

The four GenCos generated zero megawatts (MW) Friday, March 6, due the cut in gas supply.

The affected GenCos include Sapele NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP and Azura Edo power plants.

Twelve other GenCos were also affected, but generated electricity at lower capacities. These include Egbin, Sapele, Delta (gas), Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Geregu NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Okpai and Omoku GenCos.

TCN said the gas constraint had caused significant reduction in the quantum of power transmitted to the various Distribution Companies (DisCos) for supply to electricity consumers.

However, TCN which is the power evacuation company, said it discussed with the management of some of the affected GenCos who blamed the gas shortage to the maintenance of gas pipelines by the suppliers expected to last for 10 days.