The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said that the National Grid collapse on Saturday morning that threw Nigerians across the country into another blackout, was caused by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station.
The NERC, which made this known in a statement it issued on Saturday afternoon, noted that the grid collapse reversed many of the gains recently achieved in reducing infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability in the country.
SaharaReporters reports that the commission however said that efforts to restore power supply have advanced with power significantly restored, as at 1300hrs, in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission notes with concern the recent escalating incidence of grid disturbances often leading to marked outage in several states thus reversing many of the gains recently achieved in reducing infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability.
“Initial reports on the grid disturbance that occurred this morning indicate that today’s outage was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 0815hrs and associated cascade of power plants shutdown arising from the loss of load.
“However, efforts to restore supply have advanced with power significantly restored, as at 1300hrs, in 33 states and the FCT.”
The electricity regulatory commission further stated that in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the unbundling of the System Operator function (ISO) out of Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc is ongoing with the expectation that an independent SO would engender more discipline in grid management and optimised investment in infrastructure.
According to the Commission, “In pursuit of finding a permanent resolution to the challenges of the national grid, the Commission shall shortly conduct an investigative public hearing with a view to identifying immediate and remote causes of recurring incidence of grid disturbances and widespread outages.
“The date and venue of the public hearing will shortly be announced in the national dailies and stakeholders are encouraged to participate.”
The national grid collapsed again for the third time within one week with the power generaton falling to zero MW.
Blackouts were reported in Abuja, Lagos, Anambra and other parts of the country and there was no official reaction yet from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
SaharaReporters had on Wednesday reported that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that supply had been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centres nationwide after the national grid collapsed on Monday.
TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, had disclosed this in a statement, adding that ongoing restoration of the national grid was still ongoing and almost completed.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the national grid collapsed on Monday triggering nationwide blackout as distribution companies declared lack of supply to their customers.
