DisCos’ network deficiency hurts 2,000mw power distribution- Fashola
About 2, 000 Mega Watt (MW) power currently available cannot be distributed due to the limitation in the network of the distribution companies (DisCos), Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said.
He disclosed this in a document, saying that the government is putting together a policy position to help expand the distribution network of the DisCos.
“I also use the opportunity to call out to manufacturers to let us know where they are, how much power they need, and how we can connect you because we have 2000 MW of undistributed power,” says Fashola in the docimement.
“We should work harder to increase our people’s access to meters and reduce the incidents of estimated billing as NERC concludes the Meter Regulations that will open up the meters supply and installation business,” he added.
In the first few days of the New Year, Fashola said, “we suffered a setback to our power supply, which was caused by damage to the gas supply network around Okada.
“First, I want to repeat that gas is the fuel that most of the generation companies use to produce electricity; and all of us have a stake in ensuring that they are not damaged. “Second, I am happy to inform Nigerians that as at last night the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) informed us that repairs have been completed.
We thank and commend them for their response. “Third, what remains is to test the lines and restore pressure and supply to the generation companies,” the minister said.
One by one, all the stakeholders from GenCos, TCN and DisCos will, according to him, “work to restore supply to the levels they were before the pipeline damage. From there we will continue our journey of incremental power.”
Highlighting what he described as the progress and milestones on his journey for incremental power, Fashola said that these reassure Nigerians that “we are on the right path and inspire us to continue with more belief.”
Besides, he said: “Those milestones are represented by the generated power that has gone up to 7000 MW in 2017 from 3,000 MW in May 2015; transmission capacity at 6900MW in 2017 from about 5,000 MW in May 2015; and peak distribution now averaging 5,000 MW in 2017 from 2,690MW in 2015.”
He thanked all the stakeholders at the meeting for their contributions towards “these milestones.” He said: “The reason I thank you is that you are impacting the lives of Nigerians, you are saving them money and changing their lifestyles for the better.
He said,“They tell me that their consumption of diesel and petrol to run generators for power has reduced and the hours they run their generators has gradually reduced. This is the result of incremental power; and we must get more of it.”
Simon Ugwu
