The national electricity grid has dropped an average of 3.166 megawatts (mw) due to challenges in gas supply to power plants caused by recent spate of pipeline vandalisms.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in a communiqué after the 9th power sector meeting held at the Sokoto Independent Power Plant (IPP) said there would soon be improvement in gas-to-power supply with the completion of repairs at the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) by mid-November 2016, DailyTrust reports
The state-run oil firm said other new gas supply sources to come on stream to increase power generation include the Oredo 2, Utorogu NAG-2 plant, Odidi, Giga gas and Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG).
Daily Trust reports that in spite of the shortages, the grid has improved to 3.500mw in previous months and up to 4.000mw attained at the weekend.
The minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who headed the monthly meeting said the payment of debts by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) alone will not solve liquidity constraints in the power sector.
He urged the Distribution companies (Discos) to increase their metering plans to raise collection efficiency while reducing their losses.
The Minister also asked the power sector operators to patronise local manufacturers of meters and other equipment rather than resort to importation as a way of handling the Forex challenges.
