The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed Thursday’s national grid collapse to ongoing maintenance and repair activities in the power sector. TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, outlined this in a recent statement. Mbah explained that the grid experienced an incident at approximately 11:29 am on Thursday due to a sudden spike in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz. She noted that recovery operations were initiated immediately, successfully restoring power to the Abuja area within 28 minutes, though many residents reported continued outages following an earlier grid collapse on Tuesday. Mbah specified that the frequency spike originated from challenges at one of TCN’s substations, necessitating its shutdown to prevent further issues. She emphasized that significant repair efforts are ongoing, targeting crucial transmission infrastructure. These include the 330kV transmission lines along the Shiroro–Mando route, upgrades at the Jebba Substation, and work on the second Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV transmission line. “Following an investigative report on past grid failures, TCN has begun addressing the identified vulnerabilities within the transmission system,” Mbah noted. She highlighted that measures are in place to close these gaps, improve grid stability, and enhance resilience, incorporating technical and strategic upgrades recommended by the review committee. However, Mbah cautioned that some instability is expected to continue until all major repairs are finalized. “We acknowledge the inconvenience caused by these disruptions and seek public understanding and patience during this period,” she said. She reassured that TCN is dedicated to boosting the reliability of the power supply, recognizing its critical importance to Nigeria’s economic and social well-being. “We are taking every necessary step to secure long-term grid stability and addressing infrastructure challenges such as vandalism,” Mbah added. Meanwhile, Thursday’s grid collapse marked the second such event within days, adding to the tally of 10 grid failures since January 2024. Reports indicated that as of 11 am on Thursday, the national grid could only generate 2,323 megawatts, which later plummeted to zero by noon. Earlier, the day’s peak generation reached 3,743 megawatts at 10 am. The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also informed customers of an outage at 11:29 am, stating: “Dear Esteemed Customer, we experienced a system outage today, 7th November 2024, at 11:29 hrs, affecting supply within our network. Restoration is ongoing with our key stakeholders’ assistance. Thank you for your patience.” READ ALSO:
By 2030, the Nigerian Federal Government wants to produce 30,000 megawatts (MW) of power, of which 3,000 MW (or 30%) will come from renewable sources. At a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu unveiled the plan, highlighting how renewable energy can revolutionize Nigeria’s energy needs and promote sustainable development. According to the Minister, “we aim to generate at least 30,000 MW by 2030, with 3,000 MW from renewables.” This goal is in line with Nigeria’s resolve to address its energy issues and cut carbon emissions. “The Nigerian Energy Support Donor Group has been instrumental, but achieving this mandate requires more support and collaboration,” the Minister said, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing cooperation with foreign partners. with donors from throughout the world. The Ministry of Power has launched a pilot initiative in Katsina State to hybridize wind and solar power in an effort to set the pace for these ambitious ambitions. This effort, which started in 2020 and is called the Katsina Wind-Powered Program, has encountered difficulties, particularly with regard to security. However, the Ministry is committed to overcoming these obstacles and is adding a 10 MW solar and wind component to the project. The nation’s renewable energy goals and the local communities will both benefit from this hybrid approach’s promise to produce a consistent supply of electricity. The Minister stated in a recent update that talks are in progress with Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), establishing them as important off-takers for this hybrid power source.Using KEDCO as As a partner, we want to develop a sustainable model that will power Katsina communities and act as a model for renewable projects throughout Nigeria,” the Minister stated. Remote and neglected areas may benefit greatly from improved energy access thanks to this hybrid power concept. A potential move toward localized, clean, and dependable power is represented by renewable projects like the Katsina Wind Program in Nigeria, where traditional power infrastructure is overburdened and energy demand is high. READ ALSO: Breaking: The Federal Government and Google have selected 10 Nigerian startups for N100 million in AI funding. Nigeria’s government is looking into more funding and partnership options as it advances this vision of sustainable power. Outreach to foreign donors, climate-focused groups, and private investors eager to fund Nigeria’s expansion of renewable energy are some of these initiatives. By increasing its capability for renewable energy, Nigeria wants to empower its communities with sustainable power solutions, expand access to electricity, and lessen dependency on fossil resources. We Love To Have You Back. Pease kindly Provide Us With Your Email.
