The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there has been a drop in the electricity generated into the national grid by a total of 1,087.6 mega watts of power.
According to a statement by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the drop in electricity generated into the national grid is resulting in load shedding nationwide.
TCN said the load shedding became necessary to maintain the stability of the grid.
According to TCN, the sharp drop of power generated is occasioned by gas pipeline rupture on June 15, and technical issues at the Shell gas wells on June 16.
TCN explained that six thermal power generating stations are currently unable to generate electricity and have therefore been shut down due to the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) pipeline incident.
The company listed the affected power stations to include Ihovbor, Azura, Omotosho gas, Geregu gas, Olorunsogo gas, Sapele and the Egbin.
TCN said the six power-generating thermal stations have managed to generate 60mw only on each of its units, losing a total of 211MW.
The company also said Afam VI power station was shut down so that Shell Oil company could resolve its gas well issues to enable it commence gas supply to Afam VI power station.
“With a total loss of 1,087.6MW into the grid, the transmission system has become quite fragile and TCN is working hard to avert a collapse of the system, by engaging in load-shedding.
“Load-shedding is to ensure that available generation is commensurate with what is allocated to DisCos nationwide, to create a balance and avert grid instability.”
The TCN spokesperson also said NGC is making efforts to ensure that the gas pipeline issues are resolved to restore normal gas supply to affected power generating stations, to enable them to generate into the grid.
The company also said that Shell had in the morning hours of June 17 resolved its gas well issue and gas supply partially restored to Afam VI power station.
TCN also noted that there is no collapse of the grid as was reported in some quarters.
The company appealed for understanding, adding that TCN engineers are working hard to maintain the stability of the grid, pending completion of repairs of the gas pipeline by NGC and restoration of full gas supply to affected generating stations.
Meanwhile, many parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been out of supply in the past two days.
- NAN