On Monday, the national electricity grid failed in part, leaving several regions of the country without power.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company identified the situation as a technical malfunction that impacted its consumers on Monday afternoon.
In the evening, the AEDC stated that some of its clients remained without electricity.
“We realize that some of our customers are still without electricity owing to a system failure on the national grid at 2.55 p.m. today, August 5, 2024. Please be assured that the system is gradually stabilising, and we are working hard with all key partners to restore electricity to the impacted areas as soon as possible,” the AEDC said, thanking consumers for their patience and understanding.
When reached, Ndidi Mbah, a representative for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, promised to respond with more information about the occurrence. She had yet to respond as of the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, our correspondent confirmed that the various plants’ hourly power generation had reduced from 3,749 megawatts at 2 p.m. to 3,241MW and 1,255MW at 3 p.m. It was 4,067MW as of 11 a.m.
The power generation gradually recovered, recovering to 3,00MW around 8 p.m.
Our correspondent reported that the Egbin Power Plant, which generated 222MW till 2 p.m., decreased to 0.00MW throughout the day.
According to reports, consumers will face power disruptions for the seventh time in 2024 as a result of grid events.
During a recent conversation with our correspondent, Princewill Okorie, Executive Director of the Energy Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre, expressed disappointment that the system continues to have troubles despite the increase in energy cost.
Okorie noted that unmetered users would still be forced to pay for the duration of the collapse, and questioned what the government was doing to prevent the events.
"What causes these grid failures or collapses? Are the materials used in the construction of the grip high quality and standard? Who manages the grid? The players in the sector are more concerned with collecting money from consumers than with keeping the system stable.
"The power sector is more commonly associated with payment. Where are the funds brought into the sector by international communities and the funds illegally acquired from consumers going? How much money do the discos spend on operations?
“They have been increasing prices in recent months, even though the power sector is inefficient.” They want to collect money, but no one cares whether it is spent wisely. They constantly overcharge customers. The desperation to collect revenue from clients for services not provided is a difficulty.
"Now that the system has fallen, unmetered clients will continue to pay for darkness. That is unjust. “The government should confront the issue of grid failure once and for all,” Okorie said.