- The Nigerian national grid has suffered its 11th collapse of 2024, leaving the country without power
- Experts identified systemic issues such as outdated equipment, and lack of reserve systems as key drivers of grid instability
- Public hearings revealed a growing consensus that urgent reforms, including implementing spinning reserves, are necessary to prevent further collapses
Nigeria's power sector is facing a growing crisis, with stakeholders warning that the frequent collapses of the national grid could persist unless urgent reforms are implemented to address the system's numerous challenges.
The latest collapse occurred on Thursday, November 7, just a day after a government-appointed committee submitted its report aimed at ending the recurrent grid failures.
Experts highlight lack of backup systems amid grid collapses
This marked the second collapse in just one week and the 11th in 2024, leaving the country without a public power supply and placing additional financial strain on power generation and distribution companies.
Consumers are also bearing the brunt, with widespread frustration over prolonged blackouts.
Experts pointed to several systemic issues that are exacerbating the grid's instability. Key factors include outdated equipment, insufficient gas supply, poor coordination between power plants and gas pipelines, and the absence of a reliable backup reserve system.
Lack of SCADA system, others cause grid collapses
Further complicating the situation are the lack of a functional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, frequent vandalism of infrastructure, and tripping of critical transmission lines.
In addition, experts highlighted a lack of visibility within the distribution network and inadequate communication infrastructure as contributing to the crisis. Corruption within the sector has also been cited as a significant obstacle to resolving these issues.
Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, emphasised that the grid collapses often result from frequency variation where the demand for power from consumers sharply exceeds what the grid is capable of supplying.
Adegbemle explains impact of frequency imbalance on power grid stability
Adegbemle, said, “Many factors culminate in system collapse but these are very negatively impacting. It should be noted that system collapse occurs as a result of frequency variation when the pull from consumer ends is sharply different from what generation can supply.
“A system collapse is like what happens when you put on your generator in the house, but the load in the house surpasses the capacity that your generator can supply. The system collapse affects the Electricity Generation Companies, GENCOs, as it causes damage to the generating plants.
“It also affects the economy because all economic activities that depend on electricity are shut down or disrupted until the grid is restored, thereby causing losses, both financially and damages to electrical systems. Some manufacturing equipment will not function until there is frequency balance on the grid.
“There are systems that are supposed to be installed to maintain the grid, and used for grid system planning. The SCADA system is meant to help balance the grid and plan for such occurrences, but unfortunately, we have spent so much funds and time getting this system installed, we are still not sure when this will be completed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
“Experts have also been harping on the need to have a spinning reserve to mitigate against such grid collapses. The Spinning Reserve is meant to serve as a buffer in cases of frequency imbalance.
“The power sector should look at pooling resources to complete the installation of the SCADA system and procure a spinning reserve to forestall future occurrences.”
Ogaji highlights need for spinning reserves to address grid instability
During the public hearing on persistent grid collapses, hosted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Joy Ogaji, CEO of the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), proposed that while spinning reserves may not be a complete solution, pairing it with the free governor mode could mitigate the volatility affecting the grid.
She said, “So, while I am not saying that spinning reserve is a solution, I believe that putting a spinning reserve and the free governor mode side by side can cure the volatility on the grid because research shows that about hundreds of steel mills operate on our grid, and we know what steel mills does to frequency.”
Lagos calls for bids from energy firms to address power demands, reduce reliance on national grid
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Lagos State planned to reduce its dependency on the national grid through the establishment of new power plants.
The State requested proposals from energy companies for gas-fired power plants to address power demand.