The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), an umbrella body of the power distributors, has denied claims that the distribution companies reject power allocated to them.
It restated its position that the Discos have enough capacity and infrastructure to distribute energy received from the Transmission Company Nigeria (TCN).
It explained that contrary to claims in some quarters that Discos have been rejecting power allocated to them due to insufficient distribution infrastructure, none of its members has any reason to do so since they have proven capacity to distribute load allocation.
The epileptic power situation in the country has generated ill-feelings amongst Nigerians who have criticised the generation companies (Gencos) and the Discos for failing to provide stable power.
However, amongst the operators, there have also been bickering as they continue to trade blame over the irregular power supply.
However, the Director, Research and Advocacy (ANED), Mr. Sunday Oduntan, in a statement made available to THISDAY at the weekend, advocated talks among the stakeholders to enable them to resolve the challenges in the sector.
“It is truly regrettable that we either spend time on propaganda or propagate information that is inconsistent with facts rather than putting heads together to seek resolution of NESI’s issues,” he added.
He stated that while there had been commendable recovery of generation capacity, a review of NCC records would indicate that peak generation ever, was 5,373 MW (7th February 2019), with gas (mostly), hydro and line constraints.
He said: “With 25 out of 28 of our power plants fuelled by gas, it seems to me to be misleading to keep making references to generation availability of 8,145 MW, when effectively, to date, only a peak of 5,373 MW has been achieved, due to lack of gas, principally.
“First of all, Discos can only distribute energy that they receive. Secondly, the most energy ever wheeled by TCN is 4,557 MW, with generation at 5,074 MW (7th February 2016). Even at the peak generation of 5,373 MW (7th February 2019), the maximum energy wheeled to the Discos was 4,303 MW.
“Finally, it is important to mention that a stress test conducted by TCN in 2015 indicated that the Discos have a distribution capacity of 6,288 MW. The more recent distribution capacity indicated by Siemens in its ‘Electrification Roadmap for Nigeria’ report, May 7th, 2019′ is 11,000 MW”.
He suggested that for a greater value, an independent assessment of the technical capacity of NESI be conducted for the minimum alignment of the entire value chain, gas-to-power, than the effort spent on information that is not consistent with the facts.
