According to the National System Operator’s most recent data, Nigeria’s electricity production increased by 17.53 per cent, or 705.5 Megawatts, MW, to 4,728.2MW on Saturday from the 4,022.7MW recorded last Sunday.
Following the breakdown of the National Grid on September 26, 2022, there were around five weeks of standstill before electricity generation began to increase. As generation companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, struggled to raise output, electricity output had been circling about the 4,000MW threshold.
Data analysis revealed a consistent rise over the previous seven days, from 4,022.7MW on October 23, 2022, to 4,238.3MW the following day. On October 25, it increased by 2.7%, but on October 26, it slightly decreased to 4,327MW.
The information demonstrated that the consistent output persisted over the following three days, with 4,479.1MW, 4,647.9MW, and 4,728.2MW being recorded on October 27, 28, and 29, 2022, respectively.
Further investigation revealed that Shiroro Hydro, Jebba Hydro, Azura-Edo IPP, Egbin Power, Kainji Hydro, Delta Power, and Odukpani National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, were the leading generators that contributed to the improvement in grid supply.
A partial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the Federal Government and generation companies (GenCos) was activated on July 1, 2022, and it calls for the delivery of 5,505 MW of electricity for peak generation and 4,893 MW for base load.
The agreement guaranteed payment for gas provided to the GenCos by gas firms as well as payment for power delivered to the national grid by the generation companies.
All 25 of the power production facilities on the grid now have agreements in place to provide a certain amount of power as a result of the new partial power purchase agreements.
The bold step by the government has however been hampered by two national grid collapses, which pegged back efforts to boost grid supply. The frequent collapse of the grid has led to calls by experts for a wholesale revamp of the electricity grid system.
The Executive Director, of Networks, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said it has become critical for the sector to acquire the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA, system.
He stated: “The National Grid is too large geographically. A SCADA System is an absolute must for the efficient operation of the Transmission Network.”
