As power outages keep affecting the country, talks are increasing about changing how the national grid is managed.
Many people are looking for solutions that can improve stability and reliability in Nigeria’s electricity supply.
In its quest for a lasting solution, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is discussing the transfer of national grid management to an Independent System Operator.
This move aligns with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023 and aims to enhance discipline in grid management.
Cause Of National Grid Collapse
NERC also reported that an explosion at the Jebba transmission station caused the latest collapse of the national grid, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.
This incident marked the third grid collapse within a week, resulting in widespread power outages.
In recent days, the grid has tripped multiple times during restoration efforts.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NERC acknowledged the rise in grid disturbances that have led to significant outages.
NERC Concern
The statement read:“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission observes with concern the recent escalation of grid disturbances, which often lead to marked outages in several states.
“This situation reverses many of the gains achieved in reducing infrastructure deficits and improving grid stability”.
Initial reports indicate that Saturday’s outage was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 8:15 AM.
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This event caused a cascade of shutdowns at associated power plants due to the loss of load.
Fortunately, efforts to restore power have advanced significantly.
As of 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, electricity had been restored in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Furthermore, NERC announced plans for an investigative public hearing to identify both immediate and underlying causes of the recurring grid disturbances and outages.
Handing Over National Grid
The commission stated: “In line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, we are unbundling the System Operator function from the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc.
“We expect that an Independent System Operator will promote better discipline in grid management and optimize investments in infrastructure.
“NERC will soon conduct a public hearing to address these issues.
“The date and venue will be announced in national dailies, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate”.