Nigeria’s power generation slides to 3,531 MegaWatts

The National Electricity Grid, yesterday experienced further drop in its generation to about 3, 531.7 megawatts (mw). This will translate to a drop in supply sent out to the 11 Distribution Companies (DISCOs) across the country.


Statistics obtained from the Nigeria System Operator (NSO), a section of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), indicated that about 78242.67mw hour (mwh) was sent out on Saturday for supply across the DISCOs. Also, while electricity generation peaked at 3,808.5mw, there was a significant drop the same day to 2,931.9mw.

Meanwhile, the Generation Companies (GENCOs) had earlier attributed the recent drops in the country’s generation to inadequate gas-to-power for the mostly gas-based power plants. 

The report further reads that, the highest system frequency recorded on the day under review was 51.62 Hz, while the lowest frequency was 48.87 Hz. 

However, there are strong indications that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, might be forced to increase electricity tariff by 20 per cent, as distribution companies across the country, have threatened a total shut down of operations, if their request is not granted. The proposal from the distribution companies, seeks to increase the current rate of N22.8 kilowatts per hour, to N105 kilowatt s per hour. 

The planned increment is coming, not less than 8 months after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, had increased electricity tariff by 45 percent. Despite the nationwide condemnation and disobedience of court orders on the 45 percent increment, the Distribution Companies have been reported to have sent a copy of the new proposal to electricity regulatory body, for ratification and enforcement.