Nigeria’s National Grid Experiences 10th Collapse in 2024, Citing Aging Equipment and Poor Maintenance as Major Causes

Date:

Nigeria’s National Electricity Grid has suffered its 10th collapse of the year, marking yet another setback for the nation’s power sector. The National Grid Agency confirmed the latest incident through a post on its official X account, drawing attention to the increasing instability in the grid.

Here is a list of the dates and times of grid disruptions in 2024:

  • Sunday, February 4 – Collapse
  • Thursday, March 28 – Collapse
  • Monday, April 15 – Collapse
  • Saturday, July 16 – Collapse
  • Monday, August 5 – Collapse
  • Monday, October 14 – Collapse
  • Tuesday, October 15 – Partial Collapse
  • Saturday, October 19 – Disturbance
  • Tuesday, November 5 – Disturbance
  • Thursday, November 7 – Setback

The Federal Government has highlighted inadequate maintenance and outdated infrastructure as significant contributors to the frequent grid collapses. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, chair of the investigative committee assessing these failures, presented findings at the Ministry of Power’s headquarters in Abuja. According to Ali, excessive electricity voltage beyond equipment capacity was a primary reason behind the October blackouts.

The committee found that lightning arrestor failures at Jebba and Oshogbo transmission stations, along with a current transformer explosion at Jebba, triggered the incidents on October 14 and 19. Ali explained, “For the October 14 event, lightning arrestors in Jebba and Oshogbo shattered due to high voltage. This led to a cascading trip of multiple 330kV lines, escalating into a major grid collapse.”

The report also revealed that aging equipment, some dating back to 1968, plays a significant role in the grid’s frequent failures. Ali noted, “The high voltage damages insulation over time, leading to eventual equipment failure. Jebba’s equipment has deteriorated, with one of two shunt reactors malfunctioning, making the area prone to high voltage issues.”

The committee further identified infrastructure vandalism, outdated equipment, poorly coordinated maintenance schedules, and staffing shortages as factors exacerbating grid instability. These challenges underline the urgent need for modernization and reinforced security measures to stabilize Nigeria’s power grid.

RECOMMENDED

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

spot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Defence Minister, Service Chiefs Visit Family of Late Army Chief Lagbaja to Offer Condolences

On Thursday, the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, along...

Equatorial Guinea President Replaces Financial Investigation Head Amid Scandal Involving Explicit Videos and Misconduct

Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has appointed Zenón...

Unprecedented Uncertainty Marks Final Days Before U.S. Election as Presidential Race Tightens and Congress Control Hangs in Balance

Washington’s political landscape is engulfed in unparalleled uncertainty as...

Oil Marketers Challenge Dangote Refinery’s Bid to Restrict Petroleum Import Licenses, Warn of Economic Impact

Three major oil marketers—AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano...

Doyin Okupe Speaks On Power-Sharing, Tinubu’s Potential for a Second Term

Doyin Okupe, former director-general of the Obi/Datti presidential campaign,...

Naira Strengthens in Parallel Market, Weakens in Official Market as FX Turnover Drops

The Naira appreciated yesterday in the parallel market, climbing...

Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Re-Election, Pledges Stronger Nigeria-U.S. Relations

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has extended congratulations...

Diddy Marks Birthday in Jail with Heartfelt Family Calls Amid Legal Battle

Sean "Diddy" Combs, renowned rapper and music mogul, spent...

British High Commissioner Celebrates Nigerian Contributions to UK at King Charles III’s 76th Birthday Event in Abuja

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria,...

Ekiti State Chief Judge Justice John Adeyeye Passes Away After Brief Illness

Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti...