Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has started a nationwide load-shedding due to rupturing of the gas pipeline at the weekend, which led to a drop in power generation to 1087.6MW.
The 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.
Ndidi Mbah,the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
Mbah explained that ‘there has been a sharp drop in generation into the grid by a total of 1,087.6MW, resulting in load-shedding nationwide, necessary to maintain stability of the grid.’
This, she said, was as a result of gas pipeline rupture on the 15th of June, 2018, as well as technical issues at the Shell gas wells on the 16th of June.
She stated that with a total loss of 1,087.6MW into the grid, the transmission system has become quite fragile and that TCN is working hard to avert a collapse of the system, by engaging in load-shedding.
Mbah noted that “due to the NGC pipeline incident six thermal power generating stations are currently unable to generate electricity and have therefore been shut down.”
She disclosed that the affected power stations include the Ihovbor, Azura, Omotosho gas, Geregu gas, Olorunsogo gas, Sapele and the Egbin Power Station which has managed to generate 60MW only on each of its units, losing a total of 211MW.
“Also, Afam VI power station was shut down so that Shell Oil Company can resolve its gas well issues to enable it to commence gas supply to Afam VI power station.
” NGC is making efforts to ensure that the gas pipeline issues are resolved in order to restore normal gas supply to the affected power generating stations, to enable them to generate into the grid.”She said
Mbah noted that there has been no collapse of the grid as has been reported.
