By Latiifah Amusan
Nigeria’s already fragile power supply suffered a devastating blow as the nation experienced a massive drop in electricity generation.
In the early hours of today, the power supply plummeted to a mere 273 megawatts (MW), marking a staggering 93.5% decrease from the 4,182 MW recorded just a few days ago.
This crisis was attributed to a complete system collapse, which experts believe was a result of equipment failures or grid disturbances within the power sector.
According to Vanguard, data sourced from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator, a semi-autonomous division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), revealed alarming figures from various power plants across the nation.
Afam VI, Dadinkowa, and Olorunsogo power plants reported generating minimal electricity, with Dadinkowa producing a shocking 0.00 MW. Ibom Power and Jebba power plants fared slightly better, contributing 32.90 MW and 240 MW, respectively.
These figures starkly highlight the dire state of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
However, an industry insider confirmed that the grid had been experiencing significant instability in the days leading up to this catastrophic system collapse, resulting in widespread blackouts.
As a direct consequence of this power crisis, Nigeria’s electricity generation fell by 59% to 1,705 MW on Tuesday, a far cry from the 4,182 MW recorded just a day prior.
This dramatic decline has forced many households and businesses to resort to expensive alternatives, such as diesel generators, due to the exorbitant price of diesel, which now exceeds N600 per liter.
Additionally, the cost of petrol has surged by approximately 169% since June 2023, reaching over N500 per liter, compounding the financial burden on consumers.
In response to the dire situation, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, offered assurances to the Nigerian people.
During a recent reception, he acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism, stating,
“We know it’s not something that is achievable overnight, but we believe that once the foundation is laid, others can also build on it. I can tell you that between six months and one year, we will start seeing improvement in the power sector.”
