National Blackout: 18 Power Stations Shut Down Over Gas Shortage

The scarcity of petroleum products has extended into the nation’s power infrastructure as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said 18 power plants out of the 23 plants have shutdown as a result of shortage of gas supply to them.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi  said the commission noticed with concern the acute shortage in power supply and the attendant hardship Nigerians are passing through.

It said: “At present, 18 out of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to generate electricity due shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants with one of the hydro stations faced with water management issue. This has led to loss of over 2,000megawatts (mw) in the national grid.

Financial institutions and telecoms operators yesterday sent emails and text messages warning of early closure of banking activities by 1:00pm, and disruption of network services, a situation they attributed to shortage of fuel and worsened power outage ever.

It said the situation is worsened by the ongoing  industrial actions of oil and gas workers which has constrained the supply of gas to the electricity plants.

While appealing for calm from consumers on the blackouts, NERC said the Nigeria Gas Company disclosed high incidence of vandalism of pipeline networks but assured that repair works are being intensified.