The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said that the national grid, which collapsed Sunday morning, has been “fully restored.”
This is contained in a statement released by the company’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, blaming the breakdown on poor gas supply that has led to low power generation “since January 2024.”
The statement noted that “the grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 11:21 hours today with the Ibom Power islanded, feeding Eket, Ekim, Itu & Uyo Transmission Substations, during the period of partial disturbance,” he said.
“Prior to the incident, total generation on the gird was 3,901.25 MW at 08:00 hours, a little over three hours before the time of partial collapse,” he added.
“It is important to note that low power generation has persisted since January 2024, to date, exacerbating daily due to the lingering gas constraint.”
”The Transmission Company of Nigeria, hereby states that the grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 11:21hrs with Ibom power islanded feeding Eket, Ekim, Itu and Uyo transmission substations, during the period of partial disturbance, ” she said.
Mbah said that prior to the incident, total generation on the grid was 3,901.25 Mega Watts (MW) at 8 a. m, a little over three hours before time of partial collapse.
According to her, It is important to note that low power generation has persisted since January to date, exacerbating daily due to the lingering gas constraint.
According to the National Control Centre (NCC), the Internet of Things (IoT) revealed that just before the partial disturbance, which occurred at Sapele, Steam and Egbin Substations lost 29.32MW and 343.84MW at 11:20:14 hrs and 11:20:17hrs respectively, totalling 373.16MW.
”This, combined with the current low power generation due to gas constraints, caused the imbalance leading to the partial system disturbance.
”Gas constraints continue to impact grid flexibility and stability. Ensuring sufficient gas supply to power generating stations is crucial for grid stability, ” she said.
Mbah said that sufficient generation allows for better grid management in the event of sudden generation losses like this.
She further assured that that TCN would investigate the cause of tripping of Sapele Steam and Egbin power generating units.