Nigeria records 10th national grid collapse in 2024

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on Tuesday that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm (today).

Diaspora Digital Media reports that the latest development is the 10th experienced in 2024.

This was made known in a statement issued by Ndidi Mbah, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, in which the company explained that the disturbance was triggered by a series of line and generator trippings, which led to instability in the grid.

Mbah said the data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

“TCN engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the partial disturbance. Presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja, at 2.49pm, and we are gradually restoring to other parts of the country.

“We sincerely apologize for every inconvenience this may cause our electricity customers,” Mbah said.

According to the Nigeria National Grid’s X handle, the grid collapsed again ealier on Tuesday.

With the collapse, power generation across all major stations was plunged to zero megawatts (MW).

As of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, generation readings from key plants, including Afam IV & V, Azura-Edo, Egbin, and Shiroro, all recorded no output, resulting in a total generation of 0 MW.

Meanwhile, TCN has informed the public of a planned preventive maintenance operation on the Ife-Ondo 132kV transmission line scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

It was gathered that the maintenance would take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during which time power supply may be affected in the surrounding areas.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mbah disclosed the importance of the maintenance work to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the national grid.

“Consequently, Benin DisCo will not be able to offtake electricity to customers on the Ondo and Okitipupa 33kV feeders.

“Bulk power supply will be restored immediately upon completion of the maintenance,” Mbah added.

Continuous national grid collapse in Nigeria

Nigeria’s national grid has experienced recurring collapse, plunging the country into darkness and crippling economic activities.

The grid’s instability is attributed to inadequate infrastructure, poor maintenance, and transmission line faults.

Frequent collapses, often occurring several times a year, have led to widespread power outages, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and daily life.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have struggled to address the issue, citing vandalism, gas supply shortages, and aging infrastructure as contributing factors.

Experts advocate for urgent investment in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and privatization to break the cycle of collapse and provide reliable electricity supply to Nigeria’s growing population.

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