Nigeria’s National Grid Collapses for the Third Time, Leaving Millions in Darkness.
A nationwide blackout hit Nigeria on Saturday morning after the country’s national grid collapsed for the third time in a week. The collapse, which occurred early on Saturday, left many states in total darkness, with millions of Nigerians without electricity.
As of 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the power distribution companies (DisCos) had begun to recover, increasing the load to 450 megawatts (MW). However, this is a far cry from the target of 4,800 MW noted by the National Grid.
The latest update from the DisCos reveals that some states are still struggling to get back online. Abuja DisCo has 80 MW, Benin DisCo has 70 MW, and Eko DisCo also has 70 MW. Ibadan DisCo has 100 MW, and Ikeja DisCo has 130 MW. However, Enugu, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola DisCos all have zero load allocation, resulting in a total of 450 MW.
Data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal (niggrid.org) revealed that the grid recorded an unprecedented zero Megawatts (MW) as of 8:16 am on Saturday. This was later confirmed by the national grid on its verified social media account, which stated that seven of the nation’s eleven electricity distribution companies had zero load allocation.
In response to the blackout, the spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah, stated that power had been restored. However, the frequency and severity of these grid collapses have left many Nigerians frustrated and concerned about the country’s ability to provide reliable electricity.
As the country struggles to get back online, many are left wondering what caused the collapse and when they can expect a return to normal. The Nigerian government has yet to provide an official explanation for the frequent grid collapses, but one thing is clear: the need for a stable and reliable power supply is more pressing than ever.
