Despite the prevalent blackout and the deteriorating state of electricity supply in Nigeria, recent data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria reveals that power distribution companies (DisCos) failed to distribute approximately 1,769.91 megawatts (MW) of electricity between February 1 and 14, 2024.
The figures indicate a concerning trend where many DisCos did not utilize the entire quantum of energy allocated to them by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), exacerbating the country’s power crisis.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that investigations revealed deliberate rejection of electricity by some DisCos despite the scarcity of supply. Additionally, vandalism of power lines in various regions further compounded the challenges.
An analysis of the daily load summary of power distribution companies revealed a consistent pattern of failure to utilize allocated power and, in some cases, receiving excess load allocation. This inconsistency underscores the inefficiencies within the power distribution sector.
Despite efforts to address the power supply challenges, including summoning the management of non-performing DisCos and holding meetings to find lasting solutions, the situation persists. The ministry has urged DisCos to prioritize effective utilization of allocated power to mitigate the impact of the worsening blackout on Nigerians.
While gas shortages have been cited as one of the contributing factors, the ministry is exerting pressure on power generating companies to improve performance. Despite recent efforts to ramp up generation to over 4,000MW, significant challenges remain in ensuring stable and adequate electricity supply across the country.
