Power generation companies have warned of an impending shutdown of thermal facilities in response to directions from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN) , which might result in a statewide blackout starting Monday.
In a WhatsApp message on Sunday, Joy Ogaji, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, expressed concern about the impending blackout.
In accordance with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution, she disclosed that gas providers had sent out letters to stop supplying thermal power plants.
“Good morning, everybody. Our gas suppliers have notified Thermal GenCos to shut down our thermal power plants in accordance with PENGASSAN’s directions. In the article, Ogaji stated that GenCos had been expressly asked to comply by the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.
She cautioned that since hydroelectric dams are insufficient to maintain the national grid, the development could throw the nation into darkness.
“Please be aware that darkness is approaching, as the system cannot be sustained by hydros alone,” she continued.
Hours after PENGASSAN declared it would launch a statewide strike on Monday in protest over the firing of more than 800 employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the warning was issued.
Following an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, the oil workers’ union ordered its members in all oil and gas plants to stop working until the dismissals were overturned.
Nigerians’ suffering might be made worse by the strike, which could disrupt petroleum supplies, gas distribution, crude production, and now electricity generation.
According to industry analysts, the shutdown will cause extensive outages, push hydro plants to their limits, and increase the possibility of a statewide system failure because thermal stations provide more than 70% of Nigeria’s electricity.
