A nationwide blackout is imminent in Nigeria as the nation’s electric power generation has fallen below the 3,000 megawatts mark as the number of idle power plants continues to increase.

Reports say the nation’s power grid lost a total of 743.4 MW over the weekend as generation dropped from 3,306.6 MW on Friday to 2,632.4 MW and 2,563 MW on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

According to the latest data from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the total power generation stood at 2,886.7 MW with at least seven power plants, including Alaoji II and Sapele II not generating any power.

Afam IV and V, Gbarain II, AES, ASCO and Rivers IPP join the list of idle and non-productive power plants. The electricity generation from the nation’s biggest power plant, Egbin located in Lagos State dropped from 381 MW recorded on Friday to 272 MW as at 6.am on Monday.

At Afam IV and V, units GT1 and 12 have been decommissioned and scrapped, GT13 to GT16 are out of production due to blade failures, GT17 and 18 are out due to burnt generator transformers while GT19 and 20 are awaiting major overhaul.

The GT1 at Sapele II was said to be out due to an undisclosed fault; GT2 tripped on low gas pressure; GT3 is reportedly out on bearing lift fault while GT4 tripped on loss of auxiliary.

At Adaoji II, unit GT1, 2 and 4 were said to be out due to gas constraints while GT3 has been shut down due to trouble with the generator air inlet filter.

The situation is no different at Gbarain II as the GT2 is said to be out due to frequency management while AES and ASCO have been out of production since September 27, 2014.