Power sector losses reduce as generation picks up

The daily losses being recorded by operators in the power sector have reduced as electricity generation picks up gradually across the country.

An analysis of the power industry statistics obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday showed that the average daily loss of about N2bn recorded by the sector towards the end of the second quarter had reduced to an average of N1.655bn

Similarly, power generation, which hovered around 2,500 to 3,000 megawatts in the second quarter, is now above 4,000MW.

For instance, data from the System Operator put the power generation figures for September 28 and October 2, 2016 at 4,244.2MW and 4,229MW, respectively, in contrast to the 2,798.5MW and 2,524.2MW generated across the country on June 14 and June 29, respectively.

A further analysis showed that the increase in power generation was largely from hydro power plants, as the turbines had recorded a zero water management constraint for several weeks.

Nigeria’s hydro power plants include the Kainji Power Station, with capacity for 800MW; Jebba Power Station, 540MW; and Shiroro Power Station, 600MW.

According to industry statistics, gas-fired power plants are still being affected negatively by the militancy in the Niger Delta and the resultant destruction of pipelines that supply gas needed to run the power turbines.

For instance, Nigeria lost 2,764MW of electricity on September 28, 2016 as a result of gas constraint to the thermal power generation plants, while the average power sent out on that day was put 3,579MW.

Similarly, the reported line constraint was 408.1MW, while high frequency constraint was 274.9MW, with N1.655bn lost on that day due to the constraints.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing told our correspondent that the activities of militants in the Niger Delta had continued to impact negatively on the performance of the thermal plants as the facilities hardly got enough gas to meet their daily power generation demands.

Similarly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation stated that the activities of militants in the region were not only affecting gas supply adversely, but reducing the country’s crude production.

The corporation, in a recent report, stated that while crude oil production in May plummeted to 1.69 million barrels per day following uptick in pipeline vandalism in the volatile Niger Delta region, the destruction of a major pipeline in the region led to the loss of 1,500MW of electricity.