Why national grid collapsed again, by power regulator

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission said Saturday’s collapse of the power grid was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 8:15am.

NERC said in a statement that an associated cascade of power plants shutdown arose from the loss of load. 

It raised concern over “the recent escalating incidence of grid disturbances often leading to marked outage in several states, thus reversing many of the gains recently achieved in reducing infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability”.

The regulator said efforts to restore supply have advanced with power significantly restored, as at 1:00pm, in 33 states and the FCT.

It said: “In line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the unbundling of the System Operator function (ISO) out of Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc is ongoing with the expectation that an independent SO 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 with a view to identifying immediate and remote causes of recurring incidence 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.”