Investigation Underway to Determine Cause of National Grid Collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced plans to investigate the causes of the recent tripping of the Sapele Steam and Egbin power-generating units. This decision comes after the national grid experienced a partial disturbance on Sunday morning, leading to a temporary disruption of power supply.

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In a statement released in Abuja, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs for TCN, explained that the organization promptly initiated the restoration process to address the affected section of the grid. She emphasized that before the incident occurred, the total power generation on the grid was 3,901.25 Mega Watts (MW) at 8 a.m.

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Mbah further highlighted the ongoing challenge of low power generation, which has been exacerbated by gas constraints since January. She cited data from the National Control Centre (NCC), which revealed that just before the partial disturbance, there was a loss of 29.32MW and 343.84MW at the Sapele Steam and Egbin Substations respectively. These losses resulted in a total deficit of 373.16MW.

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The partial disturbance occurred at 11:21hrs, causing the Ibom power island, which feeds Eket, Ekim, Itu, and Uyo transmission substations, to be isolated from the rest of the grid. The combination of this incident and the ongoing gas constraints led to an imbalance and resulted in the partial system disturbance.

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Mbah emphasized that the constraints in gas supply continue to impact the flexibility and stability of the national grid. She stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient gas supply to power generating stations for grid stability and management.

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The recent national grid collapse was also reported by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in a statement. This incident highlights the need for further investigation into the causes and potential solutions to prevent future disruptions.

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Overall, the TCN’s investigation aims to determine the underlying reasons behind the consecutive tripping of the Sapele Steam and Egbin power-generating units, as well as address the challenges posed by gas constraints on power generation. The organization recognizes the significance of having adequate generation capacity to manage unexpected losses and maintain grid stability.

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As this investigation unfolds, it underscores the broader issue of ensuring a reliable and resilient national grid system to meet the energy needs of Nigeria.

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Proper Nouns: Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sapele Steam, Egbin power-generating units, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, Abuja, National Control Centre, Internet of Things, Ibom, Eket, Ekim, Itu, Uyo transmission substations, Techeconomy, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Sophos