FG to hand over national grid to independent operators

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 Operator 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 early Saturday.

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 Saturday.

For the third time in one week, the national grid collapsed again on Saturday morning leading to a mass power outage.

Recall that the grid tripped off on Monday and on Tuesday when it was being restored.

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 pursuit of finding a permanent resolution to the challenges of the national grid, the Commission shall shortly conduct an investigative public hearing to identify immediate and remote causes of recurring incidences of grid disturbances and widespread outages.

“The date and venue of the public hearing will shortly be announced in the national dailies and stakeholders are encouraged to participate,” it added.