Electricity consumers in Nigeria have once again been thrown into total darkness as the nation’s electricity grid collapsed for the tenth time this year.
The grid experienced system collapse today, November 7, 2024 at 11:29Hrs preventing bulk supply to the power distribution companies operating in the country.
This current collapse is the second recorded this week, despite the promise by the authorities that the grid would be effectively managed.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), shouldered with the responsibility of managing the grid, has been battling to ensure the stability of the grid, but are faced with the challenges of obsolete infrastructure, gas shortage, vandalism and theft of electrical installations, and others.
Although yet to speak on the current collapse, TCN blamed the Tuesday’s collapse on series of lines and generators trippings.
TheFact Daily reports that efforts are on top gears to unravel the situation through the deployment of SCADA system and others.
Just yesterday, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu received report on resolution of the incessant grid collapse from the committee set up to advise the government on ways to overcome the challenge.
Also, recall that last month during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima announced that NEC would adopt measures to speed up the decentralization of the national grid, with a view to putting an end to incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the North into total darkness.
He listed some of the measures for the decentralization of the national grid to include the establishment of mini-grids, solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
He stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP), emphasizing that the energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy, as well as leverage solar and mini-grid solutions designed to meet regional electricity demands.
The VP said, “A robust economy is the backbone of every nation. The recent blackouts caused by the actions of vandals remind us of our urgent need to expand our energy infrastructure. I believe the governors here would agree that the decentralisation of electricity is our path forward.
“We will continue to promote the constitutional framework that empowers constituent states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Together, we can make instability a relic of the past.
“Furthermore, our energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy. We must leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional needs. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).
“If we capitalise on our diverse regional energy resources—from northern Nigeria’s solar potential to the south’s gas reserves—we can build a resilient, decentralised energy system that drives growth and empowers our communities,” he said.
