Nigeria achieves 5,060MW, highest power generation peak since September 2022
Oredola Adeolag
Nigeria achieved highest power generation peak of 5,096.8 MW and 5,060 MW on November 5 and 6, 2023, respectively, the highest peak since September 1, 2022, when the country’s generation peaked at 5,043.4 MW.
This was revealed through data obtained from the System Operation (SO), a semi-autonomous sector under the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Monday.
The trend for the period in view showed that generation increased from 4.951MW achieved on Saturday, November 4, and crossed the 5000MW threshold after 14 months.
EnergyDay gathered that this is not the first time such would be achieved, the industry trend showed that these peaks are not sustained in the long run due to many challenges, including gas shortages, poor infrastructure, and low investment, which have contributed to the low levels of electricity generation.
Dr. Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), an umbrella body of the Gencos, reacting to the latest development bemoaned Nigeria’s poor electricity generation metrics.
She stated that it is a shame for the country to be generating less than 5000MW since 1896 to date for a population of over 220 million.
Ogaji had in an earlier chat with EnergDay confirmed the collapse of the anticipated minimum 5000 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) activated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) in 2022.
Recall that during the second quarter of 2022, the NERC in conjunction with the Gencos, distribution companies (Discos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), gas suppliers and NBET signed a contract that would ensure that at least 5000MW of power was generated, paid for 100% and successfully delivered to consumers on a daily basis with effect from July 1, 2022, which later failed due to the prevailing industry issues.
Ogaji attributed the collapse of the PPA activation to the imposition of the contract and its terms on them.
She also blamed the failed contract to the lack of key contractual details in the agreement document handed to them by NERC.
Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, stated that it is wrong for the country to celebrate attaining 5000MW when the country is supposed to be celebrating achieving such peak generation per hour.
He noted that this is not the first time the country has attained such a frivolous feat.
Adegbemle believed that the improvement in kWh or MWh is what the country should be celebrating, not peak MW that’s not sustained over any particular period.
