- The power plant along the western axis was shut down due to a directive from NGIC.
- The maintenance by the gas suppliers reduced the available gas quantity to fuel the gas turbine.
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) said that the disruption in power supply to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE) was due to maintenance by Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) facilities.
NDPHC, in a statement issued by its media adviser, Mr Sanya Adejokun, said that the NGIC gave the directive to shut down its plants along the western axis, which affected power supply to the two Distribution Companies (DisCos) on August 6, 2023. This, he said, was prompted by ongoing maintenance work being conducted at NGIC’s gas facilities. Adejokun stated that the maintenance significantly reduced the available gas quantity (reaching as low as 13MMscf), insufficient to adequately fuel the Gas turbine, which boasts a capacity of 125MW (ISO rating).
“Adding to these unforeseen circumstances, the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria, GACN, also communicated with NDPHC around 10:30 hours on the same day, August 6, 2023. Their notification outlined the challenges faced in gas supply along the Western Axis pipeline. This pipeline is vital as it supplies gas to five of our power plants. These supply difficulties arose due to the ongoing maintenance efforts undertaken by Seplat and CNL (Chevron Nigeria Limited), our esteemed gas suppliers,” the statement read in part.
He further disclosed that the culmination of these events critically impacted gas pressure, ultimately necessitating the shutdown of all its power plants. Adejokun added that the company was working with its partners to resolve the issues and restore regular operations to the DisCos.