The Federal Government has announced an increase in electricity generation to 4,300 megawatts (MW) from 3,951MW, even as many Nigerians continue to complain about poor power supply across the country.
The update was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
According to Tunji, the rise in generation was recorded between March 28 and April 10, noting that the improvement aligns with assurances earlier given by the minister that electricity supply would improve within two weeks.
Tunji attributed the increase largely to improved gas supply to thermal power plants across the country.
He explained that gas supply rose from about 605 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) to over 704 mmscfd within the same period.
“This improvement closely aligns with the steady increase in gas supply to thermal power plants,” Tunji said.
He added that mechanical availability of generating units also improved during the period, peaking at over 7,796MW in early April, while operational availability rose from about 4,208MW to a peak of over 4,694MW.
Despite minor fluctuations recorded on some days, Tunji said the overall trend suggests a gradual recovery in the power sector.
“In spite of minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” he stated.
According to him, the strong link between gas supply and electricity generation highlights the importance of sustained interventions in Nigeria’s gas-to-power value chain, given the country’s heavy dependence on thermal power plants.
To sustain the gains, Adelabu recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee tasked with improving coordination and ensuring consistent gas supply to power generating companies.
Tunji said the committee would focus on addressing bottlenecks in gas delivery, strengthening collaboration between gas producers and electricity generation companies, and ensuring more stable power supply nationwide.
“The minister remains committed to ensuring that the modest gains recorded are not only sustained but significantly improved upon in the coming weeks,” he said.
“We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements.”
Meanwhile, Adelabu has also urged the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency to increase its internally generated revenue and reduce reliance on government funding.
The minister made the call while receiving the agency’s newly appointed Managing Director, Olusegun Adesayo, and Board Chairman Ikechi Nwosu during a courtesy visit.
Adelabu encouraged the agency to expand meter testing centres across the country and work closely with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria to train more meter installers in order to help close the country’s metering gap.
“We need to ensure more installers are trained in order to accelerate the government’s plan to bridge the meter gap in the country,” the minister said.
While expressing confidence in the new management team, Adelabu assured them that the agency’s full board would soon be inaugurated and pledged the ministry’s cooperation in achieving its mandate.
VANGUARD