By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Saturday said low gas supply to thermal stations is the main cause why the country is presently being beclouded with low electricity supply.
TCN in a statement signed by its General Meeting Public Relations, Mrs. Ndidi Mba, said: “The nation’s power sector is experiencing power supply shortage caused by low gas supply which has restrained the ability of many thermal power stations to generate optimally.”
According to her, the thermal power plants affected by gas supply constraint include; Sapele NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP and Azura Edo power plants which generated zero Megawatts yesterday.
She said: “Other thermal power plants equally affected but generated at lower capacities include Egbin (Steam), Sapele (Steam), Delta (gas), Geregu (gas), Omotosho(gas), Olorusogo (gas), Geregu NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Okpai (Gas/Steam) and Omoku (gas) power generating plants.
“TCN hereby note that as a result of the prevailing gas constraints, there has been significant reduction in the quantum of power transmitted to the various distribution companies for onward supply to electricity consumers across Nigeria.”
TCN, she said has however discussed with the management of some of the affected power plants and many of them attributed their challenges to gas pipeline and processing maintenance being carried out by their gas suppliers.
According to the management of some of the affected power plants, the maintenance of gas facilities are expected to last for ten days. Therefore, it is expected that the gas supply challenges will ease before the end of next week.