In a determined effort to revive the collapsed national grid and improve electricity supply across the country, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said that the Calabar 450 Megawatts power plant will be energised this Monday, March 21.
Chairman of NERC, Mr. Sanusi Garba, confirmed this to journalists in Lagos on Monday.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Calabar Thermal Power Station is a 562.5mw gas fired power project. It is located in Cross River State. The project is currently active but plunged into inaction following gas supply constraints.
Garba said concerted efforts were ongoing to return all redundant plants back on track.
He also confirmed that five power plants across the South-West region constrained by gas supply would be adding another 600mw to the national grid.
On Alaoji plant, he said efforts were being made to return it to full activities.
He said presently the 504 Megawatts Alaoji Power Plant in Imo State has been shut down following an attack on the gas pipeline of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
LEADERSHIP also reports that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited disclosed that it has been forced to shutdown after TotalEnergies declared a Force Majeure as a result of the vandalism of NOPL Line at KP41 on January 7, 2022.
TotalEnergies had in a letter to the NDPHC stated: “NOPL pipeline was vandalized on 7th January 2022 at KP41 Alaoma Etche Cluster. The Line Block Valve at KP38 was closed to isolate the sabotage point and depressurization of the line, this will affect gas supply to Alaoji (Power Plant) until further notice.”
As a result of this development, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited stated that “Gas supply to Alaoji Power Plant was suspended due to this unfortunate event. Preliminary investigation to determine the extent of the damage is ongoing, and repair works shall commence as soon as feasible.”
NERC also said government has begun to receive bids from local meter manufacturers to supply meters under phase 1 of the National Meter Metering Projects which targets installation of four million meters under the phase.
Garba said eight million metering gap curently exists in the industry but added that no time frame to close the gap as there will still be the need for new meters and replacement programmes.
It was also learnt at the meeting with the journalists in Lagos on Monday that the sector had spent over N1trillion to boost the grid network.
It was also revealed that the Distribution Companies(DisCos) would be spending about N100 billion to boost performance.
Industry data shows that in 2018 the country witnessed 12 system collapses, eight in 2019, and in 2020, 4 collapses recorded and two in 2021 and two already recorded this year.
Garba said the Commission would continue to review tariff in line with its policy.
It was learnt that as at this Monday 3,500mw has been injected into the national grid
