JUST IN; Nationwide blackout looms as PENGASSAN strike begins
JUST IN; Nationwide blackout looms as PENGASSAN strike begins
Nigeria is facing the threat of a nationwide power outage as electricity generation companies (GenCos) warn of an impending shutdown of thermal power plants, following strike directives issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), Dr. Joy Ogaji, raised the alarm in a message sent to stakeholders on Sunday, revealing that gas suppliers have begun issuing stop-supply notices to power stations reliant on gas, in compliance with the union’s directive.
“Thermal GenCos have received shutdown notices from our gas suppliers, in line with PENGASSAN’s strike order. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, among others, has instructed compliance,” Ogaji stated.
Thermal power plants currently account for more than 70% of electricity supplied to Nigeria’s national grid. With these plants now at risk of going offline, Ogaji warned that the nation’s hydroelectric stations alone cannot sustain grid operations, raising the possibility of a total blackout.
“The risk of national darkness is real. Hydropower alone cannot shoulder the load,” she cautioned.
The looming crisis stems from PENGASSAN’s decision to launch an indefinite nationwide strike, beginning Monday, in protest against the recent dismissal of over 800 workers by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, the union directed its members across the oil and gas industry to withdraw their services until the layoffs are reversed.
Energy sector analysts have warned that the industrial action could have far-reaching consequences, potentially crippling: Crude oil production; Fuel supply chains; Gas distribution networks; Electricity generation and transmission
