As the power blackout across the country persists, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has apologised to its customers for the poor power supply to its franchise states, explaining that it is due to low power generation and supply to the national grid.
Chief marketing officer, AEDC, Mr Donald Etim, in a statement, said the company regretted the poor power supply to its customers in Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States including FCT Abuja, adding that even in the whole situation, it’s helpless if power is not generated and transported to the national grid.
“The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc. (AEDC) wishes to inform our teeming customers in Kogi State, Niger State, Nasarawa State and Abuja (FCT) that the current low and unstable supply of electricity to homes and businesses is as a result of low power generated to the national grid.
“In recent weeks, the level of power generated and served to the national grid for onward delivery to customers has been abysmally low. However, we do our utmost, at all times, to ensure that we equitably distribute in such a way that a fair cross-section of customers are served,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, attributed the worsening power supply situation especially in the FCT Abuja to low water level in the nation’s hydro dams.
Aliyu said: “I would like to discuss the increased load shedding you may have observed in Abuja and other areas in the country. With the reduction in Hydro capacity during the dry season, additional load needs to be taken up by our Gas plants.
“We are having maintenance work in the Eastern Axis around Odukpani leading to reduced power supply from the usually reliable NDPHC Calabar Power Plant and we are having challenges at Okoloma Gas Station linked to Afam VI power plant.
“We are working with NNPC and other Gas suppliers also to improve the pressure on the Western Axis that is precluding units from reaching optimum supply. These challenges are surmountable and we have a three-pronged approach we are executing.
“We are working on more firm gas supply contracts for the Power sector backed by improved liquidity. These contracts will have stiff financial penalties for underperformance.
“Increase energy mix to improve energy security … we will complete the Zungeru Hydro plant, the Katsina Wind plant, Kashimbila Hydro as well as ensure the challenges with Gurara are permanently resolved (partnering with the Ministry of Water). We are also working to resolve issues that have prevented large On-grid Solar from taking off in Nigeria.”