Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Monday 23rd January 2023
Discos Apologise as Nigerians Suffer Prolonged Power Outages due to Insufficient Electricity Generation, Allocation
Amid the current nationwide power supply outages and the sufferings caused Nigerians due to low power generation and resultant inadequate load allocation to distribution companies (Discos) by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), many of the Discos have continued to apologise to their customers.The outages, which started last week in many of the Discos franchise areas in the country has worsened the energy crisis facing Nigerian citizens, who have been battling with petrol scarcity and price hike across the country since last year.
Nigerians Count Losses as Power Grids Collapse Again
In the power sector, its still a blame game, as frequent grid failures and power outages have forced Nigerians to rely on generators to run their businesses, with disastrous financial consequences. But as Festus Akanbi points out, all eyes are on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to fix the power sector as a good legacy before handing over power in May if it really wants to write its name in gold
With the current state of affairs, the power sector may be one of the areas where the current administration has failed to turn things around in its nearly eight years in office.
NERC Approves Electricity Distribution License For Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Government has said that it has received approval for an electricity distribution license from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The approval is in response to an application from Ibom Utility company to operate an independent electricity distribution network licence to enable the company to distribute electricity in selected locations in the state.
The approval was announced by the NERC via its Twitter page after a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Government delegation led by the Secretary to State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner For Power, Mr John James and the Managing Director of Ibom Power, Engr. Mayen Etukudo for the approval presentation.
https://independent.ng/nerc-approves-electricity-distribution-license-for-akwa-ibom/
DisCos Blame Low Power Pupply in parts of Nigeria on Insufficient Load Allocation
Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country say customers will experience a reduction in power supply for an indefinite period.
This is contained in separate statements issued on Saturday by Kano, Abuja, and Ikeja electricity distribution companies (KEDCO, AEDC, and IKEDC).
According to the DisCos, the shortage of electricity supply is due to insufficient load allocation received.
We apologise for the current poor power supply you have been experiencing in certain parts of our network lately. This is due to the inadequate allocation received, hence the load shedding, IKEDC said.
High Costs Hinder Consumers Access to Electricity Meters
At one time, the meters were not there for consumers who were most eager to have them installed in their homes and business premises.
It is generally believed that accessing electricity via meters is more reliable in terms of cost-effectiveness, as consumers are made to pay more through estimated billing.
However, following persistent pressure and outcry from many Nigerians, the federal government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, rolled out various methods of procuring the prepaid meters.
https://dailytrust.com/high-costs-hinder-consumers-access-to-electricity-meters/
Ossiomo Power Plant and Failure of BEDC in Edo State
THE Benin Electricity Power Distribution Company, BEDC, has failed to meet its commitments to purchase and distribute sufficient power generated for it by generation companies, or GENCOs. Distribution companies, or DISCOs, have failed to supply adequate electricity to Nigerian consumers.
The Federal Government said it would no longer provide intervention funds as a subsidy to the DISCOs and might take drastic actions against the companies that have continued to enjoy subsidies without commensurate results.
BEDC is one of the DISCOs that does not evacuate all of the 7,000 megawatts generated by the GENCOs, but pays only 15 per cent for the 3,000 megawatts it eventually distributes. The implication is technical and economic losses as the GENCOs dont get value for the electricity they generate, while the end consumers also do not get adequate electricity, despite the output of the GENCOs.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/ossiomo-power-plant-and-failure-of-bedc-in-edo-state/
Pakistan Hit by NationwidePpower Outage
A massive power breakdown in Pakistan on Monday affected most of the country more than 220 million people, including in the mega cities of Karachi and Lahore.
Pakistan electricity distribution system is a complex and delicate web, and a problem in one section of the grid can lead to cascading breakdowns across the country.
The hours-long outage, the second in the past two years, was caused by a fault in the national grid at around 7:30am (0230GMT).
https://guardian.ng/news/world/pakistan-hit-by-nationwide-power-outage/
UK National Grid to Pay People to Use Less Power
Britain National Grid said it would pay customers to use less power on Monday evening, adding that it had asked for three coal-powered generators to be warmed up if needed as the country faces a snap of cold weather. The group said it would activate a new demand Flexibility Service scheme, where customers get incentives if they agree to use less power during crunch periods.
The service, which has been trialled but not run in a live situation before, would run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
The National Grid said that the statement did not imply that electricity supplies are at risk and added that there should be no worries. Also, the statement noted that the announcement about the coal-powered generators did not mean the generators would be used, referencing that the Coal-powered generators were last put on stand-by in December when temperatures dropped.
https://theelectricityhub.com/uks-national-grid-to-pay-people-to-use-less-power/
Veritas Bags Project Certification Deal for Mega Wind Project
Veritas SA of the French Bureau has been selected to provide project certification services for SSE Renewables up to 800 MW Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase wind project in Irish waters.
After SSE Renewables conducted a competitive tender process, the contract was then awarded to Veritas. The financial details of the project were kept private.
The French inspection and certification services group will be responsible for the project certification during the design phase. Its scope of work covers wind turbines, foundations, towers and sub-stations.
https://theelectricityhub.com/veritas-bags-project-certification-deal-for-mega-wind-project/
