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Frequent National Grid Failures: See what FG Orders, Amid Warnings from TCN

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 8th, 2024.

Frequent National Grid Failures: See what FG Orders, Amid Warnings from TCN

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

The Nigerian Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the urgent replacement of outdated infrastructure in a bid to address the recurring national grid collapses. The replacement of aged equipment is expected to be completed within six months, with the goal of stabilizing the power sector.

The Minister’s directive followed the latest grid disturbance, which occurred at 11:29 AM on Thursday, November 7, 2024, caused by a spike in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz. Adelabu instructed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and relevant agencies to begin immediate implementation of recommendations from a recently formed inter-agency committee. The committee, which submitted its report on November 6, 2024, outlined measures to reduce grid failures both in the short and long term.

According to Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media to the Minister, Adelabu emphasized the urgency of implementing the committee’s recommendations, which aim to provide sustainable solutions to the frequent collapses the country has faced in recent months. Tunji further stressed that these measures would address both immediate and long-term issues affecting the grid.

Underlying Issues Identified by Investigative Panel

The investigative panel set up to assess the causes of the grid failures found that poor maintenance practices and the prevalence of outdated equipment were among the primary reasons behind the recurring blackouts. The committee has put forward several recommendations with varying time frames for resolution.

Short-term solutions (to be implemented within one month) include improving relay settings at critical nodes, training maintenance and operations staff, testing equipment at key locations, and accelerating the completion of ongoing projects.

For a six-month period, the committee recommends strengthening relay coordination, replacing obsolete equipment, and enhancing supervisory control systems. A key aspect of the six-month plan includes the development of frameworks to attract private investment across the power sector, alongside efforts to combat vandalism, reduce transmission losses, and strengthen infrastructure.

In the longer term (within one year), the committee advocates for the modernization of grid infrastructure, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the full implementation of SCADA and telecommunications upgrades, all aimed at improving system reliability.

Ongoing Grid Challenges and TCN’s Response

Despite efforts to address the problems, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has warned that power grid collapses may continue as work on critical transmission infrastructure progresses. The TCN’s General Manager for Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed that the grid experienced another collapse on Thursday, marking the 11th such incident in 2024.

The most recent collapse occurred due to a frequency spike caused by technical issues at a TCN substation. Mbah noted that while recovery efforts were quickly initiated and parts of the system, including the Abuja Axis, were restored in less than half an hour, the grid’s instability might persist as repairs on several key transmission lines and substations continue.

TCN is focusing on essential repairs, including upgrades to the 330kV transmission lines along the Shiroro–Mando axis, enhancements at the Jebba Transmission Substation, and restoration of the second Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV line. These upgrades are necessary to improve the grid’s resilience but may take time to fully stabilize the system.

Challenges in Power Distribution and National Grid Load Rejection

The Federal Government has also highlighted the role of distribution companies (DisCos) in exacerbating grid collapses. According to the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the refusal of DisCos to accept power allocated to them, known as load rejection, has contributed to grid failures. Despite having the capacity to transmit over 8,000MW of power, the distribution network can only handle about 4,000MW due to outdated infrastructure.

This issue has been further compounded by the financial struggles of DisCos, which hinder their ability to invest in necessary upgrades to their systems. In response, the government is funding the construction of new substations through the Presidential Power Initiative, with a $800 million investment earmarked for infrastructure improvements across various distribution zones.

Government’s Plan for the Future

Looking ahead, the Federal Government has set an ambitious target of providing urban and industrial areas with at least 20 hours of daily power by 2027. This goal is contingent on significant investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors and improvements in power infrastructure.

In the meantime, widespread power outages have continued to affect several regions, particularly those under the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC). The outages are linked to disruptions in the national grid, which led to the shutdown of power supply to states like Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, and Plateau. JEDC has assured affected customers that efforts are underway to restore power, though the company has called for patience from consumers during this challenging period.

As the power sector navigates these persistent challenges, all efforts are focused on improving grid stability and ensuring reliable power access for Nigeria’s growing population and economy.