OCTOBER 19, 2024
Adesakin Adefemi
Nigeria’s national power grid suffered its third collapse in just one week on Saturday, leaving millions without electricity.
According to reports from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator, the grid tripped off at 8:16 am, resulting in a significant drop in power generation. Prior to the collapse, generation had peaked at 3,968 megawatts at 7 am, but plummeted to 47MW by 9 am.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has yet to comment on the cause of the collapse, sparking concerns about the country’s energy infrastructure.
“This repeated collapse of the national power grid is unacceptable and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms,” said energy expert, Dr. Yusuf Babatunde.
The latest collapse comes after grid trips on Monday and Tuesday, which were attributed to technical issues.
Heirs Energies has called for the integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid to mitigate such collapses.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi described the situation as “a national shame that underscores the need for urgent action.”
The federal government has launched an investigation into concerns over CNG explosions, which may be linked to the grid collapse.
As Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of the power outage, the TCN faces mounting pressure to provide clear explanations and solutions.
