TheNewsGuru

Tag: Electricity

  • Ukraine to resume electricity exports to Europe after 6 month halt

    Ukraine to resume electricity exports to Europe after 6 month halt

    Ukraine will resume exporting electricity to Europe after a six-month pause due to crippling Russian missile attacks on the country’s infrastructure, Energy Minister German Galushchenko, said on Friday.

    “The Ukrainian power grid had been functioning for almost two months without any restrictions on consumption and with a power reserve,” Galushchenko said in a statement, saying repairs had been a success.

    He said that exporting the surplus electricity would provide additional financial resources for the reconstruction of the destroyed and damaged energy infrastructure.

    An export of a maximum of 400 megawatts to the European energy grid had been agreed. Ukraine was connected to the grid shortly before the war began.

    However, the actual amount of electricity exported will depend on the needs of Ukrainian consumers, said Galushchenko, adding that their own electricity consumers “unquestionably” remained their priority.

    In the face of the all-out Russian invasion more than 13 months ago, Ukraine continued to export electricity to neighbouring ex-Soviet republic, Moldova, and the European Union from June until October.

    This was when targeted Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy supply began.

    In 2022, electricity generation in Ukraine fell by over 27 per cent due to the war.

    Europe’s largest nuclear power plant near Zaporizhzhya, which has been under Russian control since March, was shut down in September.

  • States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, as Buhari signs amended constitution

    States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, as Buhari signs amended constitution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the constitutional amendment allowing states in the country to licence, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.

    This was made known in a tweet by the presidential media spokesperson, Tolu Ogunlesi, on Friday.

    He tweeted, “President #MBuhari has signed 16 constitution amendment bills into law. By this signing, State Houses of Assembly & judiciaries now have constitutionally guaranteed financial independence, while railways have moved from Exclusive Legislative List to the concurrent list.

    States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, as Buhari signs amended constitutional

    “Another landmark change: By virtue of the presidential assent, Nigerian states can now generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. (This) wasn’t allowed pre-amendment. This is genuine, realistic restructuring- through the constitution.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the electricity sector in Nigeria generates, transmits and distributes megawatts(MW) of electric power that is significantly less than what is needed to meet basic household and industrial needs.

    Nigeria has twenty-three (23) power generating plants connected to the national grid with the capacity to generate 11,165.4 MW of electricity. These plants are managed by generation companies (GenCos), independent power providers, and Niger Delta Holding Company.

    States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, as Buhari signs amended constitutional

    In 2012, the industry labored to distribute 5,000 MW, very much less than the 40,000 MW needed to sustain the basic needs of the population.

    This deficit is also exacerbated by unannounced load shedding, partial and total system collapse and power failure.

    To meet demand, many households and businesses resort to purchasing generating sets to power their properties, this source of energy provided 6,000 MW in 2008.

    Nigeria has a chronic electricity shortage that has affected the country for many years. In 2022, its power grid collapsed twice during one week.

  • Transcorp rehabilitates gas turbine, adds 138MW to existing capacity

    Transcorp rehabilitates gas turbine, adds 138MW to existing capacity

    TransAfam Power Ltd has announced completing the rehabilitation of its Afam 5 GT unit 20 Gas Turbine power-generating unit located at Okoloma-Afam, Ndoki in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Engr. Vincent Ozoude, MD/CEO of Transafam Power Limited disclosed this while expressing delight about the newly rehabilitated unit, which is able to power up to 100,000 homes in a year.

    The rehabilitated unit, according to Engr. Ozoude has been successfully commissioned and synchronized to the national grid, bringing an additional 138MW to the existing capacity of TransAfam Power Ltd, a subsidiary of Transcorp Group.

    “Since the administrative handover of the Afam Power Plant in March 2021, we have been working diligently to realize the full potential of the plant.

    “We are pleased to have successfully completed the rehabilitation of GT20, having been out of service for over 15 years prior to our takeover.

    “We are glad to have achieved this feat, using a combination of our in-house resources and other local technical support, with about 20% of foreign expert support in the rehabilitation project, showing our commitment to local content development,” Ozoude said.

    He added: “It is impressive how far we have come from 48MW average generation, when we took over, to raising production to 120 MW generation within the first two months,” Ozoude added, as he expressed appreciation to the company’s host community, Okoloma-Ndoki, and other stakeholders.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Owen Omogiafo, President and Group CEO of Transcorp, who was accompanied by the members of the Technical Committee of the Board of Directors, expressed delight at the commissioning of the rehabilitated Afam 5 GT 20 power generating unit, stressing its significance to Transcorp Group and their commitment to transforming the power sector in Nigeria.

    “Our purpose at Transcorp Group is to Improve Lives and Transform Africa, one investment at time. We are pleased at the progress we are making to expand access to electricity in Nigeria through our investments in the power sector.

    “You cannot achieve sustainable economic transformation without reliable power supply. It is that understanding that has led us at Transcorp, under the leadership of our Group Chairman, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu CFR to invest in the power sector.

    “We are happy with the progress we are making in our power plants and strive to continue to optimize our available generation capacity, with improved gas supply, which has become increasingly challenging. We will also continue to build our local capacity by investing in human capital development and positive engagement with our host communities and stakeholders,” Dr. Omogiafo said.

    Recall that Transcorp Group had in 2013, through its power subsidiary, Transcorp Power Limited (TPL), acquired the 972MW gas-fired Ughelli Power Plant, which has since been phenomenally transformed.

    With the acquisition of Afam Power Plc, Transcorp has further cemented its position as a key player in the power sector.

    TNG reports Transnational Corporation plc (Transcorp Group) is Nigeria’s largest leading diversified conglomerate with strategic investments and core interests in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors.

    A publicly quoted conglomerate with a diversified shareholders base of about 300,000 investors, its notable assets include Transcorp Hotels plc (Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Transcorp Hotels, Calabar, and Aura by Transcorp Hotels); Transcorp Power Limited, Transafam Power Limited and Transcorp Energy Limited (operator of OPL 281).

  • Aggrieved customers attack BEDC worker, engineer in Benin

    Aggrieved customers attack BEDC worker, engineer in Benin

    Aggrieved customers in Evbuotubu in Benin, Edo State have unleashed an attack on a worker and an engineer of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company PLC (BEDC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Line Worker [names withheld] in a BEDC team was badly beaten and an engineer [names withheld] of the electricity company was held hostage.

    It was gathered that as a result of the attack, the worker sustained serious fractures on both legs and was said to have suffered psychological trauma.

    The engineer, on the other hand, who was held hostage, was only released following the intervention by law enforcement agents.

    TNG reports the management of BEDC on Monday confirmed the incident and described the attack as unprovoked.

    The attack was confirmed in a statement signed by the company’s Acting Head, Corporate Affairs Department, Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen, and made available to newsmen in Benin.

    Gbiwen said the management had declared zero tolerance for brutal assault of BEDC staff in line of duty, adding that any customer who perpetrated such act would henceforth be prosecuted.

    “The attention of Management of BEDC has been drawn to the alarming rate of brutal assault on its staff in the line of duty by customers who deem themselves to be above the law.

    “Recently, there was unprovoked, near fatal assault of a Line Worker in a team and the unlawful hostage holding of an engineer who led the team against his will, at Evbuotubu in Benin

    “As a result of the attack, the worker sustained serious fracture on both legs and severe psychological trauma.

    “The engineer, who was held hostage, was only released following intervention of law enforcement agents,” she said.

    According to Gbiwen, the management of BEDC strongly condemns the actions of the customers and warned against future attacks of staff on lawful duties

    she appealed to aggrieved customers to always make use of customer service and other legitimate channels to air their grievances, instead of engaging in violence.

    She said that BEDC was fully committed to providing quality service to its esteemed customers at all times.

  • NERC silent as electricity distribution companies hike tariffs

    NERC silent as electricity distribution companies hike tariffs

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has remained silent after it was confirmed that electricity distribution companies in the country have quietly hiked tariffs across their franchise areas.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) confirms the increase in electricity tariffs on Wednesday but calls put through to NERC’s Commissioner-in-charge of Consumers Affairs, Aisha Mahmud were not answered.

    NERC spokesman, Usman Arabi also neither picked up his calls nor responded to inquiries on the increase.

    The tariff hike was first observed on the Tariff Band A Non-MD, which increased from N57.55 per unit it was in December 2022 to N68.2 per unit in January 2023.

    Though the NERC had not released an official statement on the matter, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed the tariff increase in a tweet the electricity distribution company has deleted.

    But on its website, the electricity regulatory authority explained that one of its primary functions as contained in Section 32 (d) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 was to ensure that the prices charged by licencees were fair to customers and sufficient to allow the licencees to finance their activities and obtain reasonable profit for efficient operations.

    “In pursuant to the authority given under Section 76 of the EPSR Act 2005, the commission established a methodology for determining electricity tariff in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and subsequently issued a tariff order called the Multi-Year Tariff Order that sets out tariffs for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Nigeria.

    “The purpose of the MYTO is to set cost-reflective tariffs which will allow the power sector to be properly funded and functional. It provides a 15-year tariff path for the NESI with limited minor reviews each year in the light of changes in a limited number of parameters (such as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates and generation capacity) and major reviews every five years, when all of the inputs are reviewed with the stakeholders,” NERC stated on its website.

    TNG reports the tariff increase that was first observed on the Tariff Band A Non-MD, which was increased from N57.55 per unit in December to N68.2 per unit, amounts to about a 19 per cent increase in tariffs.

    However, neither NERC nor the various electricity distribution companies, 10 in total, have made the current rates available for electricity consumers.

    Meanwhile, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in December confirmed a recent minor electricity tariff adjustment of about 13 per cent, which the company said was in reflection of economic realities meant to keep the electricity industry alive.

    EEDC had in December increased the tariff rate for Non-MD customers under R2SB class from N58.47 to N66.47 per kilowatt, which cuts across all categories of customers within the company’s network franchise area in the South-East.

    The Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh had disclosed that the minor adjustment, which took effect from Dec. 1, 2022, was approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) some months ago across all electricity distribution companies in the country.

    According to him, there is a minor adjustment by some percentage across board in the whole electricity distribution companies nationwide currently and it is not peculiar to EEDC alone.

    He said: “The minor increase in the rate of tariff approved by NERC is for Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCOs) to meet up with the current economic realities in the power/electricity sector.

    “Currently, the sector is seriously affected by the high inflationary rate in the country; as it affects our daily operational maintenance and services to our esteemed customers in our network.

    “The issue of high foreign exchange rate is affecting our business too in terms of importing most of our spare parts needed for daily maintenance and repairs in the network.

    “The high foreign exchange rate also impact on EEDC ever increasing investment on installations to further expand and fortify the network, leading to the improved services customers are experiencing within the South-East.”

    The EEDC spokesman appealed for the understanding of its esteemed customers, adding that if the indices mentioned and other factors “turn positive tomorrow; we belief that NERC will review the tariff downwards”.

    “The recent development is for us to remain in business, service our customers better and maintain obligations to other stakeholders within the sector/industry,” he added.

    However, customers within EEDC network in Enugu have continued to complain that the increase is already tightening the existing economic hardship.

    They were of the view that before now, the high inflationary rate of about 22 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), was even affecting how their families feed daily.

    Mr Obinna Nwafor, a resident of Achara layout in Enugu, noted that it was terrible that the residents cannot get any economic respite; “as there are so many struggles to survive in the country”.

    Nwafor said: “I wish this increase has not come now; so that at least we can have a sector that is relatively stable and not being affected by the nationwide inflationary trend”.

    Mr Jude Onyia, a resident of Uwani axis of Enugu metropolis, urged EEDC to consider those in the lower categories of their tariff line and exclude them from the increase.

    “It is clear that those of us in the low category of the tariff cannot easily meet up and other alternatives to electricity are quite costly too,” Onyia said.

  • Power outrage as truck hits TCN transformer in Abuja

    Power outrage as truck hits TCN transformer in Abuja

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the current restricted  power situation in parts of Abuja was a result of a truck loaded with gravel that lost control and crashed into the company’s 132 Kilo Volt (KV) transmission tower No 20,

    Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’S General Manager, Public Affairs made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday

    Mbah said that the incident occurred at about 2.55 pm Tuesday and brought down the tower, adding that life was lost.

    She said that the tower supplies bulk electricity to the 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) part of the Katampe Substation and 2x60MVA  Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS( Central Area Substation.

    ”Consequent upon the incident, there is restricted power outage in Maitama, Wuse, Central Area, and some parts of Garki,” she said.

    According to her, the company is working assiduously to put in place a bypass from the Katampe Substation to the GIS substation in the Central Area to restore power supply to the area and environs

    ”Attempts are being made by TCN engineers to remove the conductors presently lying on the road to ensure ease of movement around the area.

    ”Presently, TCN’S engineers are at the site of the incident and are already assessing the level of damage and attempting to put in place remedial installation in the form of a temporary by-pass to restore electricity supply to the affected areas, ”she said.

    Mbah also said that after the restoration of power to the tower, TCN  would commence the dismantling and reconstruction of a new transmission tower to replace the damaged one.

    TCN assures that its engineering lines crew are making every effort to restore power supply and notes that supply will be restored as soon as possible,” she said.

  • We’re committed to overcoming electricity transmission challenges – TCN

    We’re committed to overcoming electricity transmission challenges – TCN

    The Governing Board of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Tuesday said the company was more prepared to meeting the challenges of electricity transmission in the country.

    Mr Ekere Nsima, the Chairman, Technical and Monitoring Committee of TCN, said this in Lagos, in continuation of visits to transmission substations in Lagos by members of the Board of the company.

    “We are developing our capacity so that we can respond timelessly and efficiently to issues of maintenance.

    “TCN is improving its transmission capacity, and its ability to maintain in a professional manner, its facilities and equipment in our store in Lagos.

    “Consequently, there is an urgent need for the Generation Companies (GENCOs) and the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to make the necessary investments to enhance their facilities to meet the challenges of the future,” he said.

    Nsima, who is a member of the Governing Board, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for providing fund for transmission to increase its capacity.

    “We have seen many transmission substations, both the ones already built, and the ones recently constructed.

    “We have also seen that efforts being made to improve capacity, we have a 300 MVA 330/132/33 Kv Transformer in Lekki Sub-Station, we also have 2x60MVA 132/33kV Transformer and we are planning on doubling it.

    “So, at the end of the day, we are trying to provide a very low cost transmission rate for Nigerians. I’m very optimistic and excited about the TCN of the future.

    “What we are doing now is building the TCN for the future. And I’m very optimistic that we will be able to meet the challenges of transmission of electricity in this country,” he said.

    The chairman said the company had the capacity to wheel out over 10,000megawatt of electricity, adding that the generation level presently was around 3,300MW.

    On their visit to Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Nsima said TCN was

    planning to build a 120 MVA transmission substation for transmission of electricity to the city.

    “Eko Atlantic is building a modern city, so, TCN is partnering with them to provide a reliable power for the inhabitants.

    “And so we are building a transmission substation there, the contract has already been awarded,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the members of Governing Board visited Lekki Substation and Eko Atlantic City to inspect generating plants project about to be completed.

  • 2023: Atiku In Gombe, Promises To Revive Dam To Generate Electricity, Enhance Trade

    2023: Atiku In Gombe, Promises To Revive Dam To Generate Electricity, Enhance Trade

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised to revive Dadin Kowa Dam to generate light for the country when elected in the forthcoming election.

    Speaking at the PDP Presidential campaign rally in Gombe, Atiku said all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe will be reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce under his government.

    He said: “Let me reiterate the promises we made if by the grace of God and you support the PDP. We promised to empower your business men to expand their businesses so that they can expand their businesses for our young men and women.

    “We also promised you that the Dadin Kowa Dam, which was built by the PDP to provide electricity and irrigation is activated for electricity and irrigation, provided you support the government of PDP.

    “We will make sure that all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe are all reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce.

    “Many of you were not born the time the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was in office. You now have another opportunity to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP Campaign Council and governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel said that the economy will bounce back and the Naira strengthen when PDP come on board on 2023.

    He said: “When PDP was in power, how much was a tin of milk, how much is a tin of milk today? When PDP was in power, how much was a bag of rice, how much is a bag of rice today? When PDP was in power, how much was one orange, how much is an orange sold today?

    “We just want to let the People know that PDP is coming back to make sure that our economy bounces back, to make sure that our naira regain in strength, to make sure you have more milk in your tea.

    ‘PDP is coming back to bring the economy back, to make sure there is light, to make sure no more darkness, to make you have access to many things you are not having now.”

  • Reps member reveals why National Grid collapse reoccurs

    Reps member reveals why National Grid collapse reoccurs

    Rep. Magaji Da’u, the Chairman of the House Committee on Power, has blamed reoccurring National Grid collapse on obsolete infrastructure inherited by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Da’u, who represents Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency of Jigawa, said this when he fielded reporters’ questions after a reception in his honour on the completion of his PhD programme in Birninkudu on Sunday.

    “I’m not trying to defend TCN, but they’ve inherited old infrastructure interns of whatever. They don’t even have a scanner in this country to monitor what happens.

    “You see, up to last month, they could not even access their network in Shiroro because of banditry,” Da’u said.

    He said that the House of Representatives plans to hold a public hearing on Oct. 22 to seek stakeholders’ view on the issue.

    He expressed opposition to calls for the privatisation of the TCN.

    “I’m against privatisation for obvious reasons, we’ve privatised DisCos and you see what happened, we have to take them back,” he said.

    About 4,000 people were at the reception to welcome back the lawmaker upon successful completion of his PhD programme in Public Administration from University of Scotland.

    He expressed optimism that the APC would win the 2023 general election at all levels in the state.

    “My people came to celebrate with me on the completion of my PhD programme in Public Administration from the University of Scotland.

    “As you can see, over 4,000 people came to celebrate with me. So it is not about how much you’re able to do, but how able you’ve been to meet and connect with the people to make them feel relevant and make them realise that they are important.

    “As far as we are concerned, we feel that we have done our best to ensure that APC wins the election in Jigawa comes 2023.

    “I’m also confident that I will be reelected in 2023 because in this place alone, there are over 4,000 of my constituents from the two local government areas.

    “So I’ve told them that if anyone of them can bring five people (voters), that’s 200,00 votes to win the election,” Da’u said.

  • FOREX: Manufacturers challenge CBN for priority

    FOREX: Manufacturers challenge CBN for priority

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the CBN to allocate more FOREX to manufacturers to allow for importation of raw materials and machinery.

    Dr Okwara Udensi, Edo/Delta branch chairman of MAN, made the call in Benin on Thursday while addressing the 36th Annual General Meeting of the association

    Udensi observed that chronic dollar shortage was affecting the manufacturing sector negatively.

    “Manufacturing companies are unable to access the dollar at the official rates and they need it for importation of raw materials.

    “They have been consequently to go to the parallel market to get the dollar at higher rates.

    “The sector is facing numerous challenges and it needs urgent attention of the Federal Government to provide adequate bailout for the sector to avoid total collapse,’’ he said.

    Udensi stressed that the manufacturing sector would only be able to contribute to the country’s economic growth if the numerous challenges militating against its smooth operations were tackled.

    He listed the challenges as poor electricity, high lending rates, multiple taxes and levies by government agencies, low patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and congestion at the Lagos ports, among others.

    “It is our expectation that these identified challenges be addressed by government to move the country from an import-dependent to a self-sufficient and export-based economy.

    “This can only be made possible with consistency in governments’ policies to guarantee the required enabling environment so that manufacturing companies are able to operate at maximum capacity,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Mr Mansur Ahmed, National President of MAN, urged the CBN to direct commercial banks to process FOREX allocation applications by manufacturers transparently.

    He also called on the Federal Government to evolve strategic response to the disruptive impact of the on-going Russian-Ukraine war on the global supply value chain.

    He, however, commended Edo and Delta governments for prioritising youth empowerment through the Edo Innovation hub and the Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme in Delta.

    Ahmed was represented by Dr Alofoje Unuigboje, a former Chairman of MAN, Edo/Delta chapter.

    In her remarks, Prof. Mercy Anyiwe, a professor of Economics at the University of Benin, urged manufacturers to leverage on innovation and technology to make their products competitive at the global market.

    She charged MAN to partner with research institutes and the academia to overcome some of their challenges.

    The Annual General Meeting has “Nigeria’s struggling economy/unstable macroeconomic policies: Lessons and challenges for the manufacturing sector’’ as its theme.