- The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formed a forensic investigative committee to address recent grid collapses affecting Nigeria's electricity supply
- The committee will investigate the root causes of the disturbances, advise the government on strengthening the national grid, and assess vulnerabilities within the system
- Recent incidents included significant disruptions on October 14 and October 19, which were described as threats to the progress made in the power sector
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced the formation of a forensic investigative committee to tackle the ongoing issues of grid collapses that have recently affected Nigeria’s electricity supply.
This decision comes in response to two significant disruptions within the past week that plunged various regions into darkness.
In a statement released by the minister’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu expressed his concerns over the incidents, which he described as potentially undermining the progress made in the power sector over the past year.
The minister highlighted that Nigeria had achieved a record generation and distribution of 5,527 megawatts, a notable accomplishment in three years.
To address the situation, Adelabu convened an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over the weekend.
He voiced dissatisfaction with the grid disturbances, emphasising the need for a more robust and reliable national grid.
The newly formed committee will have a comprehensive mandate, including:
1. Advising the Government: The committee is tasked with providing recommendations on necessary solutions to strengthen the national grid, complementing ongoing initiatives such as the Presidential Power Initiative and the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project.
2. Investigating Recent Incidents: A primary focus will be to establish the root causes of the recent grid disturbances, including a review to determine any potential sabotage.
3. Holistic Review: The committee will assess the overall stability of the national grid and identify needed investments and technical enhancements to ensure a smart and resilient grid.
4. Technical Assessment: A specialised team has been deployed to evaluate critical nodes within the national grid to pinpoint vulnerabilities and propose solutions to prevent future disruptions.
Adelabu provided insights into the recent incidents, detailing that a partial collapse occurred on October 14 due to a line tripping at the Jebba Transmission Substation, coupled with ongoing issues at the Osogbo Transmission Substation. He clarified that efforts to restore the grid led to a setback the following day, although the system was fully restored by October 16.
He further explained that what was widely reported as a grid collapse on October 19 was, in fact, a protective shutdown following an explosion at the Jebba transformer, which was rectified within two hours.
Adelabu emphasised that the nation experienced more disturbances than outright collapses.
The six-member investigative committee comprises key figures from the power sector, including:
- Engr. Nafisat Ali, Executive Director, Independent System Operator
- Dr. Chidi Ike, Commissioner, NERC
- Engr. Ishola, General Manager, National Control Centre
- Engr. Emmanuel Nosike, Director, Transmission, Federal Ministry of Power
- Engr. Ali Sharifai, General Manager, Transmission Service Provider
- Mr. Adedayo Olowoniyi, Chief Technical Adviser to the Minister of Power
The committee is expected to deliver its findings and recommendations to the minister by November 1, 2024, marking a crucial step towards stabilising Nigeria's electricity supply and enhancing the overall performance of the national grid.
“He thinks it’s a great job”: Mixed reactions as Power Minister claims over 40% improvement
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Chief Adebayo Adelabu of the Ministry of Power announced that over 40% of Nigerians are experiencing significant improvements in electricity supply
However, this has met missed reactions as Consumer Advocates and some members of the public have strongly opposed the Ministry’s claim, while some others confirm the electricity improvement.
