- Nigeria’s power generation capacity expected to increase to 7,000MW with tariff regularization.
- Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, says tariff reforms will unlock sector’s full potential.
- Government needs to address tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and legacy debts of N2 trillion to GENCOs.
- Continuing tariff reforms necessary to ensure consumers pay for energy consumed.
- Regularization of tariffs expected to drive improvements in power generation and distribution.
Nigeria’s electricity grid has suffered another significant setback, with power generation plummeting from 3,366.88 Megawatts at 1 pm to 1,517.5MW by 2 pm and further dropping to 1,417.85MW by 3 pm. This drastic decline is attributed to a reduction in the number of power plants on the grid, which decreased from 22 at 1 pm to 13 by 3 pm .
This incident marks the second significant drop in power supply from the grid this year. Ironically, just two days prior, the Federal Government celebrated achieving a peak generation of over 5,800MW, which experts deemed misleading as it was short-lived.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has been working to enhance grid stability, with its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system nearing completion. Once fully operational, the SCADA system will enable real-time monitoring of the power grid, facilitating prompt responses to outages and efficient load management .
In related news, Nigeria’s power grid collapsed for the fourth time in 24 days on November 5, 2024, resulting in a sharp decline in electricity generation and widespread disruptions .
Nigeria’s power generation capacity is expected to increase to about 7,000MW following the regularization of tariffs, according to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. This move aims to unlock the sector’s full potential, driving improvements in power generation and distribution .
However, the current reality is far from this goal. The national grid has suffered another collapse, resulting in a complete blackout across the country. This is the second collapse in just three days, highlighting the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power infrastructure .
To achieve the desired 7,000MW capacity, the government must address the existing tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs. Continuing tariff reforms will also be crucial to ensure consumers pay for the energy consumed.
The frequent grid collapses and power outages have significant implications for Nigeria’s economy and daily life. The country’s power sector requires comprehensive reforms and investments to provide a stable, reliable, and efficient supply of electricity.
