March 29, 2024

DisCos reject 1,519.41MW in 7 days, struggle with losses within distribution network 

Samuel Agbelusi
The eleven(11) electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have wasted about 1,519.41 MegaWatts(MW) within the distribution network, representing 5.8 per cent of  26,078.57MW, the total quantum of power received from Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) between Saturday, August 20, and Friday, August 26, 2022, after distributing about 24,559.16 MW to electricity consumers.

This was contained in the analysis of the data EnergyDay obtained from  Nigeria’s Power System Operator via its website for the period under review.

The figure showed that DisCos distributed 96% of the bulk of electricity allocated to them by the TCN in the period under review.

EnergyDay, therefore, gathered that 5.8% represented the limited amount of electricity lost within the distribution network due to some technical issues and other common phenomena.

This reflected the critical infrastructure and operational challenges that exist within the distribution network( transformers and lines) of the industry.

Based on the data obtained by EnergyDay, as of Saturday, August 20, 2022, the DisCos received 3,906.08 MW from TCN  and distributed only 3,547.62MW(actual power consumption) for that day.

This figure showed that about 358MW, equivalent to 9.17% of the total electricity transmitted for the day, was unaccounted for within the distribution network. This figure was the highest technical losses recorded in the period under review.

The breakdown of the distribution of power from the DisCos to the consumers for that day showed that Ikeja DisCo distributed the highest with 553.58MW and Yola DisCo had the lowest distribution with 107.10(MW).

Quantum of electricity distributed by others includes Benin Disco(314.36MW) Eko (380.29MW) Enugu (322.78MW) Abuja Disco (526.45MW) Ibadan (412.68MW) Jos (185.46MW) Kaduna (244.43MW) Kano  (252.92W) and Port-Harcourt (247.57MW).

Meanwhile, on Sunday, August 21, the DisCos received 3,551.13MW from the TCN, as it managed to distribute 3,443.9MW (actual consumption), therefore wasting only 105.23MW (2.96%) received for that day.

The data for that day showed that Ikeja distributed the highest with 502.69MW and Yola had the lowest distribution with 107.10(MW).

Others are Benin (311.19MW) Eko(393.45MW), Enugu (325.35MW), Abuja (467.81MW), Ibadan (388MW), Jos (194.24MW), Kaduna (258.65MW), Kano (244.52MW) and Port-Harcourt (252.91MW).

The Monday figure showed that DisCos received 3,773.85MW from the TCN, after distributing 3,489.71MW within its network. It, therefore, was unable to utilise about 284.14MW representing 7.52% of the power it obtained from TCN.
The figure for the day showed that Ikeja Electric distributed 525.48MW, while Yola DisCo gave out 95.35MW.

The breakdown for the day showed that Benin Disco distributed 306.23MW, as others including Eko Electric 408.66MW, Enugu (318.39MW), Abuja (482.47MW), Ibadan  (399.53MW), Jos (184.27MW), Kaduna (248.41MW), Kano (266.03MW) and Port-Harcourt  (254.89MW).

The DisCos received on Tuesday, received 3,775.07MW, despite 3,428.32MW being wheeled for actual consumption. This, therefore, showed that about 346.75MW, representing 9.18% was wasted in the distribution network.

Abuja Disco on that day wheeled 487.88MW(highest) while Yola distributed 110.73MW(lowest) for that day.

Others are Benin (305.81MW), Eko (386.32MW), Enugu(317.63MW), Ikeja (477.52MW), Ibadan  (367.18MW), Jos (191.52MW), Kaduna (262.26MW), Kano (267.74MW) and Port-Harcourt (253.73W).

On Wednesday, August 24, Discos distributed 3,577.72MW, after it received 3,519MW from TCN. This figure showed that about 58.58MW, representing 1.6%, was wasted within the distribution network.

The breakdown for the day showed that Ikeja Disco received the highest with 511.51 MW, and Yola also received 92.63MW, being the lowest.

Others are Benin (300.20MW), Eko (401.51MW), Enugu with (316.60MW), Abuja (498.21MW) Ibadan (431.14MW), Jos (182.74MW), Kaduna (259MW), Kano (275.83MW) and Port-Harcourt(249.77MW).

On Thursday, DisCos received 3,704.72MW from the TCN, after distributing 3,553.75MW. It, therefore, was able to record about 150.97MW representing 4.07% of the power it obtained from TCN.

The figure for the day showed that Ikeja Electric did the highest distribution for actual consumption with 527.99MW with Yola still retaining the lowest rank having been allocated 109.20MW.

The breakdown for the day showed that Benin Disco distributed 310.90W, as others including Eko Electric 431.14MW, Enugu (337.78MW), Abuja (497.98MW), Ibadan  (443.10MW), Jos (180.97MW), Kaduna (227.67MW), Kano (235.27MW) and Port-Harcourt  (251.75MW).

Meanwhile, on Friday, August 26, the Discos received 3,848.72MW from the TCN, as it managed to distribute 3,518.14MW.  They were unable to wheel 330.58MW (8.5%) of the power allocated on that day.

The data for that day showed that Ikeja received the highest with 533.99MW and Yola received the lowest with 101.22(MW). Others are Benin (334.23MW), Eko(397.37MW), Enugu (337.69MW), Abuja (489.04MW), Ibadan (386.99MW), Jos (173.50MW), Kaduna (253.85MW), Kano (262.30MW) and Port-Harcourt (253.96MW).

The analysis by EnergyDay for the period under review, therefore, showed that 3,428MW, being the lowest wheeled for actual consumption by the DisCos, was recorded on Tuesday, August 7, while the highest was attained on Monday with 3,547MW.

A summary of the data gathered within the period under review showed that despite the improvement in the quantum of power that TCN released to the 11 DisCos, a significant portion of the power was allocated to the end users. The DisCos also accounted for limited losses compared to the previous record of allocation and losses.

However, inefficient transmission networks remained a significant factor inhibiting growth levels within the entire electricity market and the Nigerian electricity value chain.