..2,534MW impacted

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

Gas supply challenges have knocked off five power generation plants belonging to the Niger Delta Holding Company Plc from the national grid, shuttingin about 2,534 Mega Watts in the process.

The impacted plants are: Olorunsogo (750MW), Omotosho (450MW), Sapele (450MW), Ihovbor (450MW) and Geregu (434MW).

The shortage, according a document sighted by Vanguard, resulted from a breach in the Trans-Forcardos Pipeline (TFP) operated by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC).

The Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo in a letter to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc said the breach has impacted gas production by Seplat Energy.

Ugbo wrote in the letter dated 20th December 2021: “We have been notified on the 18th of December 2021, by the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), via an email (Annexure I) of a breach on their gas supply network as well as technical issues affecting gas suppliers on the western axis. These challenges have led NGC to issue the notice of gas Curtailment arising from the Abysmal System Pressure Levels that must be managed to avoid collapse of the gas grid.

“According to NGC, the Trans-Forcardos Pipeline (TFP) was breached on December 17, 2021 and has impacted SEPLAT’s Production and may affect other Producers if not immediately repaired. Also, NGC reported that the NPDC’s Ughelli East Plant is currently down while Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) had also lost a Compressor because of technical issues.  The combined impact of all these issues is a deferment, unavailability to off-takers, of about 250MMscfd of gas from the Pipeline Network.

“The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited has five of its operational power plants viz: Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Sapele, Ihovbor & Geregu impacted by this gas curtailment. While Omotosho NIPP which has been forced to shut down. Geregu NIPP and Ihovbor NIPP are only receiving limited gas volumes thus leading to part load or low generation operation”.

He added that “the management of NDPHC is monitoring the situation and committed to ensuring the plants return to full operations as soon as gas supply improves”.