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DisCos refute claims on load rejection
- Allege discrepancies in TCN and DisCos data
- Say there is a lack of balanced information the media
The Distribution Companies (DisCos) have rejected the allegations of load rejection reported in the media last week. According to a reliable source who chose to remain anonymous, there have been discrepancies between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and DisCos data.
”In all of the load forecasts, from all the DisCos mentioned, the load that was actually successfully delivered to these DisCos are less than the load requested. For instance, Kaduna DisCo, in the 3rd week of May (17th to 23rd May 2021), forecasts an average of 266.13MW while the actual average energy delivered was 207.94MW with a deficit of 58.19MW. In addition, Enugu DisCo forecast 358.71MW for the 3rd week in May while 308.37MW was actually delivered to them within the same period the report covered, with 50.34MW deficit”, the source says.
”According to the SO data released for the same 3rd week in May 2021, the Average Energy Generated was 4,202.53MW while the Average Energy Sent Out was 4126.77MW. It was actually recorded that 1,578.53MW was Unutilized due to Gas Constraints while 398MW was Unutilized due to Low Load Demand from DisCos within the same period”.
”In my opinion, the data gotten from the SO as well as the information gotten from the DisCos does not tally with each other. Many of these data are not well captured; that’s why it is easy to erroneously quote or pick any convenient data from any platform and publish it in the media. There is no balance in this information; hence it’s always misleading, incorrect and inconsistent, which does not put the DisCos in good light to the public once published”.
The source concluded that the stakeholders should tackle the challenge of load rejection and find a lasting solution. ”Load Rejection accusations between the DisCos, TCN and GenCos has been a perennial problem in the sector. We should have a way to tackle this once and for all whereby all the information can be verified and confirmed before pushing such to the public”, the source concluded.
I really don’t get it at all. People called for pritivization of the energy sector and it was done but I tell you days of NEPA was far better than what we have. The DISCOs are just dancing. They should have left us the way we where
Thank you for your response. The days of NEPA may seemingly be better, but we must note that Nigeria at that moment had fewer consumers connected to the grid and lower electricity demand. Over the years, with the growth in the commercial sector, and the increase in the number of people connected to the grid, you cannot compare both periods. The problem here is the poor maintenance culture and the rising cost of electricity supply in the country, which has not seen a corresponding increase in electricity tariffs to a cost-reflective figure. Compare Nigeria with other African countries, and you’d see that the government must allow the sector to operate a truly cost-reflective tariff. Once the DisCos begin implementing a cost-reflective tariff and all sector stakeholders are paid their invoices as of when due, we can begin to experience a gradual return to a stable and reliable supply.