Nigeria’s power sector hits 5375MW new generation peak

NIGERIA’s national grid has reached a new generation peak of 5375MW, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed.

It said this was an increase from the initial 5224 MW attained on 18th December 2017, and in line with the Federal Government’s policy on incremental power.

The commission in a statement issued and signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mba on Monday in Abuja, said this was the first time the nation’s power grid had generated, transmitted and distributed such quantum of power.

According to the commission, the current capacity of Generation companies nationwide is 7,450MW which is expected to significantly increase with the expected recovery of all the generators at Egbin by the management of Sahara Energy.

It said the capacity of Transmission based on the simulation of December 2018 is 8,100MW adding that since the last simulation several transformers have been added to the transmission.

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“With the new combined peak, distribution companies have also increased capacity. However more work is needed on the Distribution capacities for the sector to fully stabilise,” the statement partly read.

It further disclosed that upgrade of critical transmission infrastructure across the country is ongoing with the commissioning of over 40 power transformers and lines in the last two years and construction of seven new substations.

The statement also stressed that unlike before, it is not only focusing on Grid Expansion but also on the quality power.

“In that respect, TCN achieved frequency control of between 49.50Hz and 50.50Hz between May 2017 and November 2018 which had not been achieved in the history of Nigeria for the past 20 years. From December to date, TCN equally achieved the best frequency control of between 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz for 85% of the time which is the best ever witnessed in the history of the Nigerian power sector,” it added.