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Nigeria loses 3,100MW to gas constraints

By on April 8, 2016

The nation’s power generation is significantly being limited by gas constraints, a development that has driven down electricity supply to households and businesses across the country.

The nation’s unutilised generation capacity caused by gas supply challenge stood at 3,100.5 megawatts as of Tuesday, April 5, 2016, industry data obtained by our correspondent showed.

Twelve power plants were affected, including five that were built under the National Integrated Power Projected, which was conceived in 2005.

Olorunsogo’s unutilised generation capacity was put at 600MW as it did not generate any electricity that day; Geregu’s 290MW capacity was idle; Omotosho failed to generate any megawatts from its 360MW actual capacity; Sapele’s unutilised capacity was 225MW, and Ihovbor’s 112.5MW was not in use.

Others with unutilised generation capacity due to gas constraints are Omotosho I (228MW); Delta Gas (360MW); Olorunsogo I (190MW); Sapele I (110MW); Egbin (445MW); Rivers IPP (160MW); and Trans-Amadi (20MW).

It was gathered that with improved plant availability and relief from existing power system network-related constraints, additional 1911.6 million standard cubic feet of gas (equivalent to 7168.5MW) will be required when all thermal units are on bar.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture had late last month announced an increase in its gas production from Agbada field in the Eastern Niger Delta.

SPDC said the additional gas would further boost gas availability on the eastern domestic gas network and would be available to enhance power generation by over 150MW.

 

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