Following the shutting down of five power generating plants in Nigeria, there are indications that the poor power supply in the country may continue.
A report by the Advisory Power Team in the Office of the Vice President showed that five gas-fired plants have not been generating electricity as a result of a gas supply shortage.
Power generating plants that are affected by the shortage of gas include Calabar and Geregu plants in Cross River and Kogi States, respectively, which belong to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). Others are Ibom Power Plant in Akwa Ibom State, ASCO Plant and Unit 6 of Egbin Power Plant.
Contrary to claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that there was enough gas for power production in the country, the report revealed that shortage of gas has affected the power sector between Sunday, August 19 and Wednesday, August 22.
The report indicated that the average power generation on Sunday was only about 3,605 megawatts as the plants could not generate 1,942.5MW due to unavailability of gas.
Also, 70MW was not generated due to weak transmission infrastructure, while 1,814.5MW was not generated due to a high frequency resulting from inadequate distribution infrastructure.
The report also showed that only 3,473MW was generated on Monday, while 3,721MW was constrained due to gas shortage and line constraints.
On Tuesday, August 21, the report showed that 3,571MW was generated, while 4,488MW was constrained due largely to gas shortage and a number of other factors.
The report also showed that power stations at Alaoji in Abia State; Sapele in Delta State; Afam VI in Rivers State; Omotosho 1 and II in Ondo State; and Olorunsogo 1 and II in Ogun State plants could not generate 240MW; 112.5MW; 490MW; 120MW; 120MW; 114MW and 76MW, respectively.
