Starting from Monday, November 4, there will be a 400 megawatts drop in electricity generation in Nigeria, which would lead to blackout in some areas.
The information is from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, which added that due to the expected drop in electricity, there would be rationing of power supply.
A statement issued by the TCN explained that the drop is as a result of the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) scheduled maintenance work on Okoloma Gas Plant supplying gas to Afam VI Power Plant.
According to TCN, the shutdown of Afam VI Power Plant became necessary to allow SPDC inspect and carry out routine maintenance work on the Okoloma Natural Gas Station in Afam, Rivers State, to ensure its technical integrity.
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on its part said that maintenance work on Okoloma Gas Plant is important to guarantee continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas to Afam VI for power generation into the national grid.
TCN, while apologising for the inconveniences the 6-day power rationing will cause the Federal Government and electricity consumers nationwide, assured Nigerians that “the maintenance work is in line with efforts to improve power supply in the country.”
However, despite the 400megawatts drop in electricity supply, the Federal Government remains confident that power supply will improve sooner than later.
Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprise, Ibrahim Baba Gana, expressed this optimism while appearing as a guest on Channels Television flagship News At Ten. He said that due process was followed in the handover of the sector to private operators, and all investors are bracing up to ensuring that adequate power supply is made available.