Blackout looms nationwide as PHCN plans to shut 5 power plants
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria,PHCN, has announced plans to shut down five power plants across the country, a plan that will drastically reduce the present state of power generation.

The announcement, which was made, yesterday, by the company may likely hurt the Federal Government’s ambition to attain about 5,000 megawatts of electricity by the end of December. Few weeks ago, government celebrated the achievement of over 4,050 Mw, marking the highest quantum of electricity generated in the history of the nation.

PHCN, in a statement, said it “regrets to inform its esteemed customers nationwide of the notice received from Nigeria Gas Company Limited,NGC, of the planned shutdown of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Utorogu and Ughelli East Gas Plants, Oben, Sapele and Ogharefe gas plants of Saplet and Pan Ocean for maintenance purposes.

“This will be for seven days, commencing October 11, 2011.”

The maintenance, according to NGC, will lead to complete shutdown of Geregu, Sapele, Ughelli, Omotosho and Olorunsogo power stations throughout the period, thus resulting to a cut back in generation of over 1400Mw. It added that, “This loss of generation will entail minimal load shedding in many parts of the country.

“We, therefore, appeal to our valued customers and other stakeholders for understanding and support, while assuring that power supply situation will considerably improve once gas supply is restored to these stations.”

nt lyk dere s bn light na