The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced plans for an investigative public hearing aimed at addressing the recurring incidences of grid disturbances and nationwide power outages. The commission’s goal is to identify both the immediate and remote causes of these persistent issues.
In a statement issued on Saturday via its X handle, NERC emphasized that the public hearing is part of its efforts to find a permanent resolution to the challenges facing the national grid. The specific date and venue for the hearing will be published in national dailies, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate actively.
NERC expressed concern regarding the recent surge in grid disturbances, which have led to power outages across several states. These incidents are reversing progress made in reducing infrastructure deficits and improving grid stability.
The commission provided initial insights into a recent grid disturbance, indicating that an outage earlier that day was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station around 8:15 a.m., which led to a cascade of power plant shutdowns due to loss of load. However, as of 1:00 p.m., efforts to restore power were underway, with significant restoration achieved in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In accordance with the Electricity Act 2023, NERC also mentioned that the unbundling of the System Operator function from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is ongoing. This unbundling is expected to foster greater discipline in grid management and optimize investments in infrastructure, ultimately enhancing the overall reliability of the electricity supply.