Power plants in Sapele, Geregu, Olorunsogo and Gbarian have been knocked off the grid with zero generation due to lack of gas, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed.
The loss of the plants with a combined capacity of 889 Mega Watts of power is a major set-back for the sector, especially with many Nigerians ordered to stay at home due to Coronavirus outbreak.
Besides the plants, several others are facing constraints due to gas supply challenges.
A statement by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah said the challenge which was first reported few weeks ago has persisted.
According to her, “The thermal power plants most affected by gas supply constraint include; Geregu Gas station now generating 0MW against 435MW, Geregu NIPP generating 81MW with a shortfall of 354MW, Sapele NIPP now generating 0MW against 230MW, Olorunsosgo NIPP generating 0MW against 112MW and Olorunsogo Gas plant generating 70.5MW with a shortfall of 195.5MW while Gbarian plant is generating 0MW against 112MW.
“Also affected by the gas supply constraint are: Omotosho NIPP generating 110MW with a shortfall of 220MW, meanwhile Egbin power plant, Alaoji NIPP, Delta, Okpai are equally affected by gas shortage. Egbin is currently generating 596MW with a short fall of 264MW. Delta II-IV gas is generating 306.81MW with a shortfall of 128.19MW and Okpai Gas plant is generating 159MW with a shortfall of 291MW”.
TCN explained that Rivers IPP, AFAM IV-V and Paras Energy are also generating with a shortfall of 40MW, 60MW and 30.2MW respectively.
“AFAM VI does not have gas supply problem but one of its units is out on fault”, it added.
The company noted that presently, “Azura and Odukpani power plants are the only two thermal power generating stations generating at full capacity into the nations grid.
“With the current situation therefore, a few of the distribution companies that can pick more load are unable to, because what is generated into the grid is what TCN strives to distribute equitably to DisCos nationwide”.
ExpressDay recalls that TCN had earlier issued a press release dated, March 7th, 2020, in which it stated that low gas supply was significantly affecting the quantum of power generated into the grid. TCN insists that the poor gas supply challenge has not abated but is getting worse, even after the maintenance of the gas pipelines.
TCN called for urgent action to address the issue of gas shortage to thermal generating power plants nationwide to avert serious system disturbance.
