National Grid: Egbin Plant Maintenance Sparks Blackouts in Nigeria

Parts of Nigeria are grappling with electricity blackouts following the planned shutdown of the Egbin Thermal Power Station by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for essential maintenance. The TCN, through an official statement on Monday, announced that the temporary closure is imperative to address a leaking gas pipeline.

The shutdown of the Egbin Power Station, situated in Lagos and recognized as Nigeria’s largest thermal generating facility with an installed capacity of 1,320 MW, will reduce 676MW of bulk power injected into the nation’s grid for 72 hours.

The TCN statement issued on its official platform read, “This is to notify the public that as of 11:13 hours on 18 December 2023, the Egbin Power generating station was shut down to allow the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to maintain a linking gas pipeline supplying gas. The station will be shut down three days from today (Monday). This means a reduction of 676MW of bulk power generated into the nation’s grid for three days and consequently the quantum of bulk power available to be delivered to distribution companies’ load centers.”

As a result of the shutdown, affected areas may experience electricity shortages and disruptions during this period. The TCN, in its statement, emphasized the importance of the maintenance work to ensure the integrity of the gas pipeline, which plays a critical role in the power generation process.

The Egbin Power Plant plays a crucial role in contributing to the country’s power supply, and the temporary reduction in its operational capacity is necessary to address infrastructure concerns and maintain the reliability of the power generation system. The announcement underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance and sustain the efficiency of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.