Total blackout as Nigeria records 12th national grid collapse in 2024

Nigeria’s national grid suffered its 12th collapse of the year on Wednesday, plunging parts of the country into darkness.

In a brief statement, the National Grid announced the incident but provided little detail on the cause.

The statement read: “Major Grid Set Back has occurred! Restoration to commence.”

This year alone, the country has experienced a record number of grid collapse.

The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu had in November promised the citizens would enjoy at least 20 hours of daily electricity by 2027.

The government had said the target was only possible if there was growth in the oil and gas sector Investment.

The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, had made the statement at the Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, in a release by the State House Director of Information and Publicity, Abiodun Oladunjoye.

“By 2027, Nigeria aims to ensure 20 hours of electricity daily for consumers in urban areas and industrial hubs,” Verheijen had said.

Diaspora Digital Media has kept track of collapses in 2024, and can confirm that indeed this is the twelfth time it has happened this year.

National Grid

The national grid is a complex network of high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and other infrastructure that distributes electricity from power plants to consumers across a country.

It is a critical component of a country’s energy infrastructure, enabling the efficient and reliable transmission of electricity over long distances.

The national grid plays a vital role in ensuring a reliable electricity supply, facilitating economic growth, promoting energy security, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

In many countries, the national grid is managed by a transmission system operator, which is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the grid.

This involves managing the flow of electricity across the grid, maintaining the grid’s infrastructure, and ensuring that the grid can meet peak demand during periods of high electricity usage.

The national grid is also subject to various regulations and standards, which are designed to ensure the grid’s safety, reliability, and efficiency.

How the frequent collapse affect Nigeria 

The national grid’s impact on Nigeria is multifaceted.

For one, the grid’s frequent collapses have resulted in widespread power outages, affecting homes, businesses, and industries across the country.

This has significant economic implications, as businesses rely heavily on a stable power supply to operate efficiently.

Furthermore, the national grid’s limitations hinder Nigeria’s economic growth.

The grid transmission capacity is insufficient to meet the country’s growing electricity demand, resulting in a shortage of power supply to industries and homes.

This shortage can lead to increased costs for businesses, as they may need to rely on alternative sources of power, such as generators.

In addition, the national grid’s inefficiencies also affect the environment.

The reliance on fossil fuels for power generation contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.

Moreover, the frequent use of generators as an alternative source of power also contributes to air pollution, negatively impacting public health.

Overall, the national grid’s challenges have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s economy, environment, and citizens.

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