Power outage: 5,000mw electricity generation not feasible by July 1— Stakeholders
…Directive ploy to mislead Nigerians — Experts
By Uthman Salami, Ariemu Ogaga and Dennis Matthew
Amid epileptic power supply, indications have emerged that 5000 mega watts electricity generation is not feasible to achieve by Generating Companies (Gencos) by July 1, 2022.
Recall that Nigerians have witnessed and continue to grapple with the worsening power supply in the country especially with incessant grid collapses paralysing the electricity supply.
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had set a deadline of July 1 for electricity generating companies to attain 5,000 megawatts of power generation.
However, some concerned stakeholders in the power industry have maintained that the target is unrealistic but rather a ploy to deceive millions of Nigerians.
A leading ex-official in the sector who did not want his name mentioned said the time frame given to GenCos is misleading and may not be achievable.
While speaking with our Correspondent, he said, “I think it is a ploy to give false hope to Nigerians. Today is the 20th. We have 12 days to go. So, there is nothing new that will happen. Except that they will try to see if they can be serious for the date, before the thing goes down again.
“Nothing that is sustainable. It is a ploy whether the government or the agency is concerned. It is a ploy not realistic, funny, I don’t know what they can install now. What I mean is that they can apply their energy to hold something tight for some twelve days…”
On his part, Chief Sunday Oduntan told Nigerian NewsDirect that it was a commendable mandate, noting that, “All I can say is that firstly it is a very welcome development but at the same time, I am sure the GenCos will be working towards fulfilling that mandate. No doubt about that. I can assure, we shall surely distribute whatever it generates. Once it gets to us, if the transmission can will-in ,we shall distribute it.”
The Chairman, NERC, Sanusi Garba, had mandated the entire value chain of the power sector, comprising Gencos, Distributing companies, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria have committed to signing a contract to deliver 5000mw of electricity to power consumers.
The national grid, which is being managed by government-owned Transmission Company of Nigeria, has continued to suffer system collapse over the years amid a lack of spinning reserve that is meant to forestall such occurrences.
Major cities across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, experienced a blackout on Sunday following another collapse of the national grid.
The domain of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc, and Eko Electricity Distribution Company, among others had been affected.
The latest in the series of breakdowns of the national grid since the beginning of the year. In some cases, the national grid collapsed more than twice in a month.
But the NERC Chairman listed major reasons for the recent grid collapses as vandalism of gas pipelines, and attacks on transmission towers by vandals.
On what the Commission is further doing to stabilise the power grid, he said the federal government is planning to invest in the national grid through capital expenditure to ensure stability.
Garba pointed out that the entire value chain has committed to signing contracts to meet up with the power needs of electricity consumers.
Specifically, he said GenCos will sign contracts with gas producers to buy gas to produce.
He said, “This is the first time this kind of contract among all parties will take place. In the past, there have been complaints of lack of gas from generation companies, DisCos complain of unpaid tariffs, and then the TCN would also say they transmit whatever they get.
“But now, the entire value chain has committed to signing contracts to meet up with the power needs of electricity consumers. GenCos will sign contracts with gas producers to buy gas to produce. We have also involved gas suppliers who are committed to making gas available.
“Under the contract, DisCos are not allowed to buy less than 5000MW, and TCN has also said they have the capacity to transmit at least 5000 megawatts. So this time around, there will not be a flop by any party.”
Garba said the DisCos would this time commit to making funds available for GenCos to pay for gas.
On measures put in place to ensure compliance, Garba said there would be stringent penalties for non-compliance.
“There will be consequences. Whoever does not meet up with their part of the contracts will be fined,” he said.
An energy, Agro consultant and foremost Nigeria Bamboo Expert, Mr Eleojo Joseph in a chat with Nigerian NewsDirect on Monday said DisCos are reaping consumers off on different fronts.
He disclosed that power supply in Nigeria is unlikely to improve any sooner.
According to him, “In my candid opinion July 1st will come and pass without any improvement in the electricity supply to consumers.
“The problems of the power sector are enormous and complicated.
“DisCos are just ripping off the consumers on different fronts. No electricity supplies and people are paying ‘estimated’ bills? Who is defending the consumers in this blackmail?
“DisCos are not giving the consumers prepaid meters and where the meters are installed, the technicians and some DisCos have tampered with the meters. So therefore, some consumers have resorted to passing the meters to redress the perceived short change.
“All these are happening because there is no competent regulatory authority in place to checkmate the anomalies in the power distribution process,” he stated.
On his part, CEO, Sage Consulting & Communications, Mr Bode Fadipe explained that the prevalence of electricity theft will continue to cripple Nigeria’s power sector.
“The issue of recovery for electricity sold to different classes of end users of the product will continue to remain a source of concern to stakeholders because of the prevalence of theft of electricity.
“The twin problem of theft and irregular payment make up some of the constituents of the aggregate technical, commercial & collection losses, which the market continues to battle with.
“At the bottom of it is the issue of liquidity, which the market needs to ramp up efficiency through the procurement of spares for maintenance, network development and expansion, fresh investment etc in the entire value chain”, he stated.
Responding, the Lead Strategist and Director General of Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC) Dr David Kayode Ehindero said “Disco should not give excuse over their ineptitude in service.”
He stressed that they have a directive to deploy meters which they haven’t done successfully because of politics and power play.
“They are frustrating consumers who felt cheated and had to start looking for ways out. I suggest Disco should wake up to their duties and do the needful, if truly they want to meet up their target.”
Also speaking, the Vice President of Nigeria Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAAE), Comrade Aniediabasi Ekpo noted that the discos are embarking on cheating their clients without rendering quality service.
He called on the federal government and stakeholders to have a roundtable discussion to improve the power supply in the country.
