Nigeria experiences nationwide blackout as power grid collapses again

Nigeria has faced its fifth nationwide blackout of 2024, marking another severe disruption in the country’s power supply.

According to various distribution companies (DisCos), the blackout was triggered when their feeders became inactive, leading to widespread power outages.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that the grid collapsed around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, with power generation plummeting from 3,241 megawatts (MW) to 1,255 MW within an hour.

At the time of reporting, out of 21 plants connected to the grid, five generation companies (GenCos) were non-operational while 17 were still generating power. The TCN has not yet provided an explanation for the grid failure.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed the blackout on social media, noting that the grid collapse occurred at 2:30 p.m.

“We understand that some of our customers are still without power due to a system failure from the national grid at 2:55 p.m. today, 5th August 2024,” AEDC posted.

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“Please be assured that the system is gradually stabilizing, and we are working diligently with all relevant stakeholders to restore power to the affected areas as quickly as possible.”

This incident marks the fifth grid collapse of the year. Previous failures occurred on February 4, March 28, April 15, and July 6.

Despite TCN’s assertion on May 1 that the number of system collapses had significantly decreased, with a 76.47 percent reduction in grid disturbances over five years, the frequency of outages this year has been concerning.

TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, reported a reduction in system collapses from 20 in 2020 to early May, compared to 85 disturbances from 2015 to 2019.

Additionally, a new digital system, the Generation Dip/Loss Detection System (GLDS), was introduced in April to enhance the response to sudden drops in power generation.