TCN alerts on 400mw drop in electricity, seeks understanding

Monday, there will be a 400 megawatts drop in electricity generation, which would lead to blackout in some areas, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said in Abuja Sunday. It called for understanding from the public, saying that due to the expected drop in electricity, there would be rationing of power supply. It said in a statement: “The Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that there will be a reduction in generation output by 400mw from Monday (today) to Saturday. “This is due to the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) scheduled maintenance work on Okoloma gas plant supplying gas to Afam VI Power Plant, thereby leading to the shutdown of the power plant and resulting in nationwide power rationing.” According to TCN, the shutdown of Afam VI power plant became necessary to allow SPDC inspect and carry out routine maintenance work on the Okoloma natural gas station in Afam, Rivers State, to ensure its technical integrity. It added: “Maintenance work on Okoloma gas plant, SPDC revealed, is important to guarantee continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas to Afam VI for power generation into the national grid. “TCN sincerely regrets inconveniences the six-day power rationing will cause the Federal Government and our highly esteemed electricity consumers nationwide, and assures that the maintenance work is in line with efforts to improve power supply in the country.”