CEM REPORT | Another national grid collapse on Friday evening has thrown five States – Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa State into blackout barely 3 months after the last grid collapse.
Channels reported that at least three Distribution Companies (DISCOs) has confirmed the development via their respective social media handles, informing their customers of the situation in their respective domains.
They include Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC), and Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
“Dear Esteemed Customers, we regret to inform you that a system collapse occurred on the National Grid at 6:30pm, Friday, April 8, 2022,” EKEDC said in a tweet. “Our partners are assessing the extent of the damage to the National Grid and how soon it will be restored, more information will be provided soon.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused to our customers and we assure you that we are working on a swift resolution.”
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The statement from Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc reads; “please be informed that the current power outage is due to a system failure from the national grid. The system collapse is about 6pm and 8.50pm today 8 April 2022, causing outage currently being experience. We appeal for your understanding as all stake holders are working hard to restore normal supply”
In its update to consumers in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States, KEDCO apologised for any inconveniences the outage might have caused.
“We write to inform our numerous customers in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States that the current power outage is due to a system collapse on the National Grid.
“Which as a result causes the current power outage on our network. We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this may cause to our customers,” it tweeted.
Earlier in the week, the Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers issued a press statement on the challenges confronting the Nigerian power sector and the solutions
NIPE identified among other challenges equipment failure, dependence on foreign companies for equipment supply, shortage of forex, use of non-power professionals to manage the sector, weak regulation and undue interference by the government.
The Institute specifically point to the arraignment for gas supply to GenCos as not solid enough to sustain interrupted supply of gas since majority of the generating plants are thermally operated. This was a major contributor to the last grid collapse.
[Download NIPE full press statement here]
