Nigeria’s National Grid Collapses for the Third Time in a Week

A nationwide blackout struck Nigeria in the early hours of the day, leaving several parts of the country in darkness. This is the third grid collapse in a week, sparking concern from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) about the "escalating incidence of grid disturbances" that is undermining efforts to improve grid stability.

According to initial reports, the latest outage was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 8:15 am. The blast led to a cascade of power plants shutting down due to the loss of load. However, NERC said that efforts to restore power have progressed, with supply significantly restored in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of 1:00 pm.

The grid collapse has raised concerns about the recent gains made in reducing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability. NERC has expressed its commitment to finding a permanent solution to the challenges facing the national grid and is working to promote discipline in grid management and optimize investments in infrastructure.

In a bid to identify the underlying causes of recurring grid disturbances and widespread outages, NERC will conduct a public hearing in the coming days. The Commission has invited stakeholders to participate in the hearing, which aims to uncover both immediate and remote causes of these disruptions.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is determined to restore the country’s power grid and ensure a stable supply of electricity to its citizens. By addressing the root causes of these recurring outages, NERC hopes to prevent future disruptions and provide a more reliable energy infrastructure for Nigeria’s growing population.