- Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, called for immediate action to overhaul the national grid following repeated collapses and a recent disturbance
- A committee set up by Adelabu proposed key steps, including equipment audits, better maintenance, and attracting private investment
- The call for reform came after a disturbance in the grid on Thursday, November 7, raising concerns about grid stability and the need for comprehensive upgrades
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other relevant agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a committee tasked with addressing the frequent collapses of Nigeria's national power grid.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 7, by Bolaji Tunji, the Minister's Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Adelabu said the government would take swift action to tackle the underlying issues plaguing the grid.
The call for urgent action follows a disturbance in the national grid that occurred earlier in the day, which was caused by a sudden rise in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
The committee, which was set up on October 22 by Adelabu to address the recurring power grid collapses, presented a series of recommendations aimed at stabilizing the grid and ensuring consistent power supply across the country.
Key proposals included conducting a comprehensive audit and testing of existing transmission equipment and infrastructure, alongside significant improvements in the maintenance of these assets.
The committee also stressed the need for increased investment from both the government and the private sector to modernize the grid.
According to Tunji, the committee recommended the development of a framework for reliability-centered maintenance and the adoption of advanced maintenance practices to improve the lifespan and reliability of the transmission lines and equipment.
Furthermore, the committee proposed a number of strategic measures to enhance the grid’s functionality:
- Replacement of aged and obsolete transmission equipment.
- Improvement of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and telecommunication systems.
- Deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to monitor generating units and transmission lines in real-time.
- Securing firm gas contracts to ensure stable fuel supply for power generation.
- Strengthening measures to combat vandalism and energy theft, which have contributed to grid instability.
Adelabu emphasised that these measures would require a concerted effort from both public and private sectors to ensure their effective implementation.
The minister also responded to the TCN's report of the grid disturbance, reiterating the urgency of the situation.
He noted that Thursday's incident was just one in a series of grid disruptions that have undermined power stability in the country.
“The recommendations of the committee are far-reaching and will provide lasting solutions to the incessant power grid collapses that have plagued us in the immediate and long term.
“All relevant agencies in the Ministry must brace up for the immediate implementation of these recommendations,” Adelabu added.
In a separate statement, the TCN assured Nigerians that efforts were underway to stabilise the grid and prevent further disruptions.
Incessant collapse of Nigeria’s national grid: Experts explain why it keeps happening
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that many Nigerians are familiar with the term ‘national grid’ due to its incessant collapse, which has become regular news in Nigeria.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 140 million people in Nigeria lack access to electricity, constituting 71 per cent of the country’s population.
