Once again, homes and businesses experienced power outages as the national power grid plummeted by 97.1 percent, falling from 3,152.7MW at 11 am to 88MW at 12 noon.

Data from the National System Operator (NSO) revealed that by 5 pm, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was still working to restore the grid, with supply reaching 246MW.

Key power plants contributing to this supply included Afam VI (1.6MW), Ibom Power (70MW), Olorunsogo Plant (58.6MW), Omotosho Plant (67.9MW), and Trans-Amadi (47.7MW).

This marks the third grid collapse in less than a week, following 421 days of grid stability. While the cause of the latest collapse remains unclear, a source at the TCN emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the recent incidents.

“What is happening to the grid is unusual. It bordering on sabotage and deliberate attempt to discredit the effort by the government to improve power supply”, the source who declined to be named added.

Just two days ago, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, the Managing Director of TCN, revealed that the repair of damaged equipment at the Birnin Kebbi Transmission Station would require approximately $4 million. The station had suffered extensive damage in a fire incident that occurred in the early hours of Friday, resulting in disruptions to power supply in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

The fire had destroyed two major transformers, one with a capacity of 90 MVA and the other 60MVA, along with the control room.

Engr. Abdulaziz mentioned that TCN engineers were actively working to determine the cause of the fire outbreak. Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, emphasized the need for the country to either establish a comprehensive cyclical grid, allowing for the isolation of issues without affecting the entire nation, or consider regional grids—a proposal advocated by some stakeholders.

“There is also the need for the spinning reserve which no one has been been able to resolve, I would have expected the new Minister of Power to have started engagements with key stakeholders in Generation, Transmission, Distribution and most importantly, Consumers that are paying for the inefficiencies in the power sector, so we can have policies that will work in the interest of the nation”, he added.