Electricity workers have halted operations on the National Grid following a strike initiated by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress. The strike began at midnight.
Data shows that electricity generation, which was at 2,805.59 megawatts at midnight, dropped to just 28 MW by 6 a.m. on Monday, with only Ibom Power remaining on the grid.
Below is an official statement from the Transmission Company of Nigeria:
GRID SHUTDOWN: UNION DELIBERATELY SHUT DOWN THE NATIONAL GRID
The Transmission Company of Nigeria announces that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, causing a nationwide blackout. The grid shutdown occurred at about 2:19 a.m. on June 3, 2024.
At approximately 1:15 a.m., the Benin Transmission Operator reported that operators were forced out of the control room, with some staff being beaten and injured. As a result, the Benin Area Control Center was shut down.
Other substations shut down by the Labour Union include Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Several transmission lines were also opened due to union activities.
On the generation side, units at various power stations were forced to shut down.
Jebba Generating Station had to shut down one unit, followed by three others due to high frequency, leading to system instability and the eventual grid shutdown at 2:19 a.m.
At around 3:23 a.m., TCN began grid recovery efforts using the Shiroro Substation to feed transmission lines supplying electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation.
However, the Labour Union continues to obstruct grid recovery nationwide.
Efforts to recover and stabilize the grid are ongoing to restore normal electricity transmission across the country.
Ndidi Mbah
GM, Public Affairs
3/5/24
