The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the partial collapse of the national grid earlier today, leading to power outages in various parts of the country. However, according to a statement issued on Sunday by TCN’s General Manager, Ndidi Mba, “TCN initiated immediate restoration of the affected part of the grid, and presently, the grid is fully restored.”
The incident occurred around 11:21 am, with Sapele Steam and Egbin Substations losing a combined 373.16MW of power within seconds. This partial collapse followed a period of low generation, with total grid output at 3,901.25MW just three hours prior. Mba attributed this low generation to “lingering gas constraint” issues plaguing the sector since January 2024.
PARTIAL SYSTEM DISTURBANCE TODAY AT 11:21HRS, GRID FULLY RESTORED.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN hereby states that the grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 11:21Hours today with Ibom power islanded, feeding Eket, Ekim, Itu & Uyo transmission substations, pic.twitter.com/7OiKokRifj
— TCNNIGERIA (@TCN_NIGERIA) February 4, 2024
While the grid is currently operational, concerns remain regarding the underlying causes of the incident. Nigerians have experienced repeated grid failures in recent years, highlighting the need for long-term solutions to ensure power stability and reliability. TCN is expected to provide more details on the specific technical issues that led to the partial collapse and the steps being taken to prevent future occurrences.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector. Addressing gas supply constraints and investing in infrastructure upgrades are crucial steps towards achieving a more stable and efficient grid, ultimately benefiting businesses, homes, and critical services nationwide.
