Electricity
generation in the country has dropped by 625 megawatts from the peak of
4,400MW to 3,775MW, as gas supply to key thermal stations has dropped.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Power on
Wednesday, quoted the minister, Prof. Bart Nnaji, as saying that the
drop in generation was due to a sharp reduction in gas supply due to
pipeline maintenance and leakage repair by suppliers.
“The total loss of natural gas supply in the wake of
both the routine maintenance and the leakage repair has meant a loss of
625MW; an awful loss indeed for a nation, which used to generate 3,800MW
by last May and now produces 4,400MW,” the minister was quoted as
saying.
He named the plants affected by the gas cutback as
Egbin (the nation’s largest power facility located in Lagos State);
Sapele (operated under the National Independent Power Project); Ughelli,
Delta State; Geregu, Kogi State; Omotosho, Ondo State; and Olorunsogo,
phase two, Ogun State.
According to the minister, gas supply to the
Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System, which provides natural gas to key
thermal power stations in the country, has declined by over 180 million
standard cubic feet in the last few days, leading to a considerable loss
of electricity and rationing nationwide.
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