OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Breakdown, unavailability of gas, lack of water, and shut down as a result of Turn Around Maintenance, TAM have been linked to why 17 power plants are currently out of service, causing either total power outage or shortages across Nigeria.
Following reports of lack of power supply, Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman in a statement through his media aid, Aaron Artimas on Thursday, said the problem was caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants, NIPP supplying electricity to the national grid.
The plants affected are; Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor.
The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance.
Seven other Integrated Power Plants, IPP namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are said to be experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro plant has a water management problems.
This incident described by the minister as an “unfortunate development” has drastically affected power generation, thus minimising supply from the national grid, the statement said.
“In view of this, The Hon Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman regrets this unfortunate situation and offers his sincere apology to all affected Nigerians on the inconveniences the Power shortages are causing”.
He assured that the Ministry through the appropriate agencies is working assiduously to rectify the technical problems affecting the plants as well as resolving the gas issues to the others.
Mamman further assured that the national grid will be restored to its previous historic distribution peak of about 5,600MW of electricity achieved early this year.
