Power generation falls to 3,757MW, six plants idle

The nation’s hydropower plants have seen their output levels tumble in the past few days, causing total power generation to drop below 4,000 megawatts.

Electricity generation from Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro hydropower stations fell to 534MW as of 6am on Monday from 980MW on April 16, data from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator showed.

Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro generated 345MW, 294MW and 341MW as of 6am last Thursday, accounting for 22.85 per cent of total national generation.

But the three plants saw their output levels fall by 277MW, 157MW and 100MW respectively as of 6am on Monday, contributing 14.21 per cent to national generation.

Kainji’s 1G7 unit was said to be out on stator winding failure; 1G8 unit out due to oil leakage on governor runner head.

Similarly, 1G9 unit was out due to burnt 7.5MVA 33/0.415kV & 183.6MVA 16/330kV station service transformer and generator transformer, and 1G10 was shut down due to thrust bearing temperature problem.

Two units at Jebba, 2G2 and 2G4, were said to be out due to low load demand by the distribution companies; 2G5 tripped on unit vibration, and 2G6 was out due to burnt generator winding and automatic voltage regulator.

Generation from Shiroro’s 411G1 and 411G3 units reduced due to low-load demand by the Discos; 411G2 was out due to low-load demand by the Discos, and 411G4 was out on fault.

The nation generates most of its electricity from gas-fired power plants, while output from hydropower plants makes up about 30 per cent of the total generation.