1029MW Of electricity stranded due to gas shortage, unpaid invoices

Eight of the power plants on the national grid suffered gas constraints on Wednesday the 3rd of March 2021, amid concerns by gas producers over unpaid invoices in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

A total of 1,029.80 megawatts of generation capacity was idle as of 6am on Wednesday because of gas constraints.

The nation’s total unutilized electricity generation capacity stood at 2,119.8MW as of 6am on Monday, with low load demand by the distribution companies and water management stalling the generation of 1,090MW.

The power plants affected by gas constraints included Omotosho I, Olorunsogo I, Omoku, Afam VI, and Geregu II (NIPP). Others were Omotosho II (NIPP), Gbarain NIPP and Trans-Amadi, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator.

Total power generation in the country stood at 4,775.8MW as of 6am on Wednesday, compared to 4,751.8MW on Tuesday.

The Oil Producers Trade Section, comprising international and local operators in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, has decried the unpaid gas invoices in the power sector.

In its presentation at the international conference of the Nigeria Gas Association, the OPTS said, “We must of a necessity repay all outstanding gas invoice arrears. Some companies are being owed as far back as 2015-2016. This is not sustainable; we must be able to get assurance that when we produce the gas, we will get paid for it. So, we must of a necessity quickly settle all outstanding debts, and make sure that we establish bankable credit support that will make the gas business to grow so that investors can develop more gas resources.