- The Federal Government of Nigeria is in discussions to transfer national grid management to Independent System Operators as part of the Electricity Act 2023
- The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission acknowledged concerns over escalating grid disturbances
- The unbundling of the System Operator function from the Transmission Company of Nigeria is expected to enhance grid management and infrastructure investments
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has said discussions are ongoing to transfer the management of the national grid to Independent System Operators in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023 to engender more discipline in grid management.
NERC also revealed that an explosion incident at the Jebba transmission station was the cause of the latest national grid collapse that occurred on October 19.
According to the commission, efforts to restore supply have progressed significantly, with power restored in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of 1 pm on October 19.
The NERC, in a statement posted on its official X handle, acknowledged the recent rise in grid disturbances that have resulted in significant outages.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission notes with concern the recent escalating incidence of grid disturbances often leading to marked outages in several states, thus reversing many of the gains recently achieved in reducing infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability.
“Initial reports on the grid disturbance that occurred this morning indicate that today’s outage was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 08:15 hours and an associated cascade of power plants shut down arising from the loss of load.
“However, efforts to restore supply have advanced with power significantly restored, as at 13:00 hours, in 33 states and the FCT.”
It further noted that an investigative public hearing to identify immediate and remote causes of recurring incidences of grid disturbances and widespread outages will be conducted very soon.
“In line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the unbundling of the System Operator function out of Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc is ongoing with the expectation that an Independent System Operator would engender more discipline in grid management and optimised investment in infrastructure.”
In its pursuit of a permanent solution to the challenges facing the national grid, NERC announced plans to conduct an investigative public hearing aimed at identifying both immediate and underlying causes of recurring grid disturbances and widespread outages.
The Commission stated that the date and venue for the public hearing will be announced soon in national dailies and encouraged stakeholders to participate.
The unbundling of the System Operator function from TCN is underway, expected to lead to more disciplined grid management and optimized investment in infrastructure. This move is part of the government’s efforts to find a permanent solution to the national grid’s challenges.
Grid loses 1,800MW as vandals damage 2 transmission towers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the national grid has suffered a significant setback, losing 1,800 megawatts (MW) of electricity due to the destruction of two transmission towers along the vital 330 kV Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines.
The incident, confirmed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in a statement released on October 18, underscores ongoing challenges posed by vandalism to Nigeria's energy infrastructure.