There appears to be little or no improvement in the supply of electricity nationwide, despite that most industries shut down operations of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Though the development has helped the sector to conserve electricity for distribution to consumers, its supply is still very low. Stakeholders, however, say the sector can provide stable power once generation, distribution and transmission segments operate well, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE.
Like a recurrent decimal, irregular supply of electricity has continued to resonate across the country as successive governments are unable to proffer solution to it. Not only has the issue dominated the nation’s socio-economic landscape, it has also forced many helpless Nigerians to conclude that the problems in the sector are beyond solution.
Recently, the Federal Government declared a two-week stay-at-home order to stem the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) ravaging the world. The pandemic, which has its root in Asia Continent, precisely China, came to Nigeria weeks ago.
Besides, the fact that the disease has affected economies around the world, it has put the lives of many individuals at risk, which prompted the Federal Government to order a lockdown in in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT with some states doing same.
The lockdown is expected to end soon, and the government may extend it as it is recording more cases of people infected with the disease.
Of note is the issue of irregular supply of electricity as the stay-at-home continues. Though some areas have been enjoying electricity for a stretch of five or six hours that is not to say that the supply is stable.
While Ikorodu and others within the Lagos metropolis enjoy light for few hours, others are not so lucky. A good example is Kubwa and Suleja under Abuja DisCo, and Ibadan served by Ibadan DisCo.
Industry observers argue that the country does not need to experience irregular supply of electricity, more so with industries shut down which means more electricity is being conserved.
With this, the sector is expected to provide enough electricity to consumers across the country. But that is not so, as supply has continued to dwindle, even as Nigerians are staying at home.
Also, there is the need to examine the performance of the power distribution companies (DisCos), generation companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) vis-a-vis their roles in the sector.
Pre-pandemic period
Prior to the outbreak of coronavirus in China and its subsequent importation into Nigeria early this year, the sector was operating below its capacity level.
The sector operates with less than 5,000 megawatts (mw), a which is not enough for the population of over 200 million. At a point, the output was below 3,000mw, which was below its total capacity of 12,500Mw.
TCN’s perspective
TCN Chief Executive Officer Mr. Usman Mohammed said the capacity of generation had reduced considerably, adding that the output of 10 power generation plants was not encouraging. He said the plants – Alaoji, Olorunsogo and others – have not been producing optimally, noting that the development was having undesirable effects on the performance of the sector.
He said the issue was affecting the supply of electricity which was already compounded by the challenges in transmission.
Stakeholders’ opinions
The Director, Centre for Energy Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Wunmi Iledare, said the sector was posting dismal output, stressing that the situation had nothing to do with the spread of coronavirus.
Iledare said: “Whether COVID-19 is spreading in the country or not, the condition of the sector is becoming worse every day. Many areas in Abuja do not have light.”
Iledare, who is the former President, Association of International Energy Economists (AIEE), said stakeholders, including the Federal Government, should understand the structures of the electricity market, before they could achieve meaning growth.
He said: “The problem of the sector is not about the power generation and power distribution companies. The problem is fundamentally lack of understanding of the market structures. Nigeria boasts of power distribution companies, which operate as if they are extension of the government and as such do not want to be regulated by anybody.
“The country has power generation companies, which invest millions of dollars into the sector and are recouping their investments in the volatile foreign exchange market.”
He said TCN was also battling with infrastructural problems, adding that until the sector resolved the problems, it would not achieve growth.
Also, the Managing Director, Power Cam, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, said the infrastructural problems should be tackled by the government and other operators, before the industry could provide growth.
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