Nigeria's TCN blames generation shortfall, not grid faults, for recent power outages

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disputed Ikeja Electric's explanation for recent power outages in Nigeria, attributing them to reduced electricity generation rather than instability or faults on the national grid, according to Premium Times.

About 68% of interruptions recorded on November 1 and November 2 resulted from frequency-control load shedding caused by low generation, TCN said, according to TheCable. None of the recorded interruptions resulted from a fault or trip involving TCN equipment, according to BizWatch Nigeria.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) attributed the generation shortfall to gas supply constraints affecting thermal power plants and reduced output from hydroelectric stations due to lower reservoir inflows, according to Premium Times. NISO separately blamed the drop in electricity supply on inadequate gas delivery to thermal plants and lower water levels at hydroelectric stations, according to Within Nigeria.

NNPC Limited rejected gas transportation constraints as a cause of declining generation, insisting its gas infrastructure network was fully available to support deliveries to power plants, according to The Whistler. NNPC said its clarification concerned only NGIC's gas transportation network, while gas production, commercial supply arrangements, and actual deliveries to individual power plants were separate issues requiring independent assessment, according to The Whistler.