NISO MD calls for stronger collaboration to protect Nigeria’s power grid
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has called for stronger collaboration, operational discipline and strict adherence to technical standards among stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to strengthen grid stability and reliability.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, made the call at a two-day workshop titled “Strengthening Grid Stability: A Collaborative Workshop for NESI Stakeholders,” held at the Jebba Hydro Power Plant and hosted by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited.
Mohammed said grid stability remained the foundation of a secure, reliable and resilient electricity supply system, stressing that maintaining the integrity of the national grid required coordinated action across the entire electricity value chain.
He identified generation and transmission constraints, changing demand patterns, frequency excursions, voltage-security challenges and the integration of increasingly diverse energy resources as some of the complex conditions confronting the Nigerian power system.
According to him, frequency excursions can arise from several interconnected factors, including sudden generation or load losses, forecasting and scheduling inaccuracies, fault-induced disturbances, inadequate system inertia and the response characteristics of generating units during system events.
He noted that NISO’s ongoing compliance monitoring activities had reinforced the importance of adherence to technical performance standards, including Free Governor Control requirements.
The NISO chief executive emphasised that addressing grid stability challenges required more than technical interventions, noting that accurate and timely operational information, adequate frequency and voltage control resources, effective reserve management, strict compliance with the Grid Code and operational discipline were equally critical.
He further stressed the importance of long-term system planning as Nigeria continues to develop new generation projects, transmission infrastructure and other greenfield investments across the power sector.
“System planning is increasingly critical to the long-term stability and reliability of grid operations,” he said, adding that successful integration of new projects would require careful assessment of transmission adequacy, system strength, operational flexibility, reserve requirements, reliability criteria and future demand growth.
Mohammed urged participants at the workshop to move from diagnosis to practical solutions, saying discussions should address both immediate operational concerns and measures required to build a secure, reliable and sustainable electricity system for the future.
He reaffirmed NISO’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), policymakers and other NESI stakeholders.
He said the objective was to support the development and operation of a grid that is stable, resilient, responsive and capable of sustaining Nigeria’s economic growth and development aspirations.
The NISO MD called on participants to engage openly, share experiences, challenge existing assumptions where necessary and develop practical solutions capable of improving the performance of the power system.
He outlined key expected outcomes of the workshop to include a stakeholder-validated understanding of major threats to grid stability; measurable commitments to improve frequency and voltage control performance; practical coordination protocols for managing disturbances; greater alignment between operational requirements and long-term system planning; and an effective mechanism for monitoring agreed actions.
Mohammed said the workshop provided an opportunity not only to strengthen technical capabilities but also to reinforce the collaboration, accountability and strategic foresight needed to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electricity grid.
He expressed appreciation to Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited for hosting the workshop and wished participants fruitful deliberations.
