Sunday, December 1African Digital Business Magazine

Author: Yusuff Wale

Energy, Nigeria News

Nigeria’s latest gas-related power shortages could have been avoided. Here is why.

Opinion Piece by Yusuff Wale, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Marine & Power Services Nigeria Ltd On 28 May 2021, Nigeria’s national power generation dropped to 3,059 MW and for the subsequent seven days remained below 4,000 MW, six percent below-average production. Low pressure on the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) left several gas turbine power plants with insufficient gas supply, leading to plant shutdowns and widespread power blackouts. Unlike gas turbine power plants, gas engine power plants have the flexibility to function during low gas pressure events. This flexibility significantly lowers power production risk, a supreme advantage in the context of gas supply disruptions and systemic power shortages. Power cuts in Nigeria are a regular occurrence. Data from the Transmissio...