Nationwide blackout as national grid collapses — sixth time in 2024

The national electricity grid collapsed on Monday, leading to a nationwide blackout.

According to a statement on X by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), the national grid collapsed at 6:58pm.

AEDC said a system failure at the national grid affected the power supply from its franchise area.

“Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas,” the company said.

“Rest assured, we are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding.”

Also, in a statement by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Emeka Ezeh, head of corporate communications, said the company is unable to provide power to its customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

“The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October, 2024,” Ezeh said.

“This has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across EEDC network.

“Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo.”

‘WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO RESTORE POWER’

On its part, Eko ElectricityDistributionCompany (EKEDC) also said the company is working with stakeholders to restore.

“Kindly be informed there was a system collapse at 18:48hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network,” EKEDC said.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power supply is restored.”

The national electricity grid has collapsed six times in 2024.

On August 5, various distribution companies (DisCos) said their feeders became inactive, resulting in widespread blackouts across the country.

Similarly, Nigeria recorded the fourth system failure at the national grid on July 6.

Also, the national grid collapsed on April 15, March 28 and February 4.

On May 1, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the number of system collapses has declined by 76.47 percent in five years.

Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s spokesperson, said the country recorded 20 system collapses from 2020 till May 1, compared to the 85 grid disturbances between 2015 to 2019.

TCN said it had deployed a digital system called generation dip/loss detection system (GLDS) to swiftly detect and respond to sudden drops in power generation.