Nigerians are plunged into darkness once again after the national power grid collapsed for the second time in four months. This latest incident occurred at approximately 1 PM on Monday, September 11, 2023, causing a swift drop in electricity generation from 4,032.80 megawatts to a mere 303 megawatts by 5 PM.
Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that the collapse affected all 22 electricity plants on the grid, leaving them with zero megawatt output. This comes as a major blow to Nigerians, particularly in light of the recent 400-day anniversary of grid stability celebrated by the TCN.
Historical data paints a concerning picture of grid instability. In 2013 alone, the country witnessed 24 power system collapses, followed by 13 in 2014, 10 in 2015, and a significant increase to 28 in 2016. While the number of collapses has fluctuated in recent years, with 13 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 4 in 2020 and 4 in 2021, the latest incident highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring reliable electricity supply for the nation.