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Introduction: In this interview with Financial Nigeria, the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, provides updates on the national electricity grid.

Financial Nigeria (FN): Would you like to summarise the projects that TCN has completed in the last one year to assure on progress in stabilising the national electricity grid under the current administration?

Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz (SAA): In the last one year of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, TCN has recorded significant improvements in project delivery. Based on the vision of the President, we became more aggressive in pursuing TCN’s grid transformation plan called the Nigeria Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion, and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP). With the NEGMERP, we strategically delivered multiple new capital and reinforcement projects across the transmission regions in the last 12 months. This has resulted in more efficient electricity evacuation and transmission.

More specifically, we completed 18 transformer projects under the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), 22 TCN internal projects, four reconductoring lines projects, and two substation projects.

FN: This is great to know. But more specifically, would you like to speak to how to avoid having the grid collapse too often – in a situation that even one is too many?

SAA: TCN has continued to conduct regular maintenance and upgrade of equipment to prevent technical failures and drastically reduce downtime. We are using advanced monitoring and control systems to detect and respond to issues promptly.

We have deployed the Generation Dip/Loss Detection System (GLDS) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are significant steps in bolstering grid stability and reliability. The GLDS plays a pivotal role in detecting and responding to sudden drops or dips in power generation across the network. This is designed to empower the National Control Centre in Osogbo, as it provides grid controllers at the NCC with advanced tools for real-time monitoring and analysis of grid performance.

Our engineers have equally deployed an in-house designed IoT technology in response to the challenge of limited visibility of power generators. The IoT devices, strategically deployed across power stations and some substations facilitate the collection of near real-time data, including power generation levels and grid performance metrics.

The IoT has enabled the expansion of visibility of power generating stations from 6 to 27, which has enabled us to significantly improve TCN’s ability to monitor grid load and identify potential issues before they escalate. All of this positively impacts grid stability.

TCN is equally using the Free Governor Mode of Operation (FGMO), which automatically adjusts generation in response to frequency changes, ensuring stability, reliability, and reduced transmission losses. Even though this has its challenges in terms of full compliance by the generating stations, it has also contributed to further strengthening of the grid.

We are currently working to procure spinning reserve, which is critical for maintaining the grid. The spinning reserve ensures that grid frequency is maintained within the specified limits even after a system fault or disturbance. Spinning reserve, however, requires collaboration with the critical stakeholders in the power value chain.

Also, we are working on installing the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) devices at critical nodes on the grid in order to maintain the grid voltage within the specified limits. Some nodes on the grid are susceptible to either high or low voltage problems. FACTS devices help to resolve these voltage problems which in turn will help to strengthen the grid.

The reliability of the grid is improved when there is redundancy. TCN has proposed several projects in order to close the remaining loops on the network which are still radial, creating redundancy. These projects include the proposed second Jos-Gombe line, Makurdi- Jalingo, and Yola-Maiduguri 330kV lines which will close the open loop in the Northeast.

TCN Implements a robust maintenance schedule to regularly inspect and repair aging infrastructure. This is also aimed at preventing sudden failures that may lead to grid collapse. Our Research and Development department is currently championing studies for the development of energy storage systems, which can provide backup power during peak demand periods.

Importantly, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is also working hard to ensure the incorporation of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which would reduce the strain on the grid, as well as the decentralisation of energy production through mini-grids and off-grid solutions.

FN: How is TCN addressing the issue of its abandoned projects, which is estimated to be over 100?

SAA: The public perception that TCN has abandoned its projects is not correct. The stalled projects are Federal Government transmission projects that require funding. Some could have also progressed further but for Way Leave issues and, in some cases, insecurity, particularly in some parts of the North. Whereas insecurity affects more of the projects in the Northern regions, high Right of Way (RoW) cost and sometimes outright refusal to allow TCN projects on some land is prevalent in the Southern regions.

FN: The Minister of Power announced that the Federal Government plans to increase power generation to 6,000 Megawatts by 2024 year-end. Does TCN have the capacity to wheel this level of power generation?

SAA: Oh yes! TCN certainly has the capacity to transmit 6,000MW electricity to distribution load centres nationwide. This is a fact because, in the last three years, we have continued to rehabilitate and upgrade several substations, we have built new ones funded through our IGR and by donor agencies, and we have added new transformers to ensure increase in capacity and redundancy in several of our substations.

Currently, TCN has a comprehensive list of proposed projects which it has put in batches, taking into cognisance those that are ‘low-hanging fruits’ or require little investment. The first batch is targeted at quick additional capacity to the grid. What’s more, the last simulation test carried out in December 2013 revealed the grid a capacity of 8,100MW.

In March 2021, TCN successfully wheeled 5,801MW from generating companies to distribution load centres nationwide. Since then, we have continued to add more transformers, reconductor transmission lines, and we have built new transmission substations among others.

TCN is a key stakeholder of the Nigerian Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) as undertaken by FGN Power Company (FGNPC). The initiative aims to resolve existing challenges in the nation’s power sector and further expand the capacity of the transmission and distribution networks, to achieve an operational capacity of 25,000 megawatts (MW) through a series of projects spanning three phases. Projects under the PPI are ongoing and also adding to the capacity of the national grid.

 FN: How is TCN dealing with the menace of vandalisation of its infrastructures?

SAA: We have continued to use the media to inform and educate citizens on the need to collaborate with TCN in the fight against vandals. Last year, we formed committees to collaborate with security personnel, vigilante groups, and host communities in the fight to protect transmission installations. We also had stakeholders’ engagement in communities along transmission lines routes. It is our belief that these approaches will grow the support of stakeholders especially in safeguarding transmission installations.

We have experienced some fire outbreaks. To check against this, TCN is implementing several measures nationwide. We are replacing all aged equipment and constructing fire points and fire walls in all our work stations. Additionally, we have distributed additional fire extinguishers across all TCN facilities. We also ensure that staff are adequately enlightened on lessons learned from past incidents and that recommendations are effectively implemented and monitored.

Efforts to educate locals on the dangers of bush burning near TCN facilities have also been increased. All our new transformers now come equipped with Sergi Fire Protection, and plans are under-way to install this protection on older transformers. Fire safety audits are also ongoing to assess how TCN facilities are managed concerning fire safety. Furthermore, the HSE Sub-sector is conducting more frequent inspections of TCN facilities.

FN: Any update on the TCN SCADA system project, which is key in preventing frequent grid collapses?

SAA: The SCADA implementation has reached about 60 % completion and is expected to be completed by the last quarter of this year. All the machinery offshore has been shipped into the country and engineering and design works are ongoing. Reviews and modifications are being made continuously as the equipment is being installed. Also, 70% of the equipment has been delivered to various sites and mounted in the substations’ control rooms across the country.

FN: Finally, would you like to describe the current state of transmission infrastructure in the country?

SAA: The diligent implementation of the NEGMERP has fast-tracked the achievement of milestones in grid efficiency, maintenance, rehabilitation, equipment procurement, and expansion.

We have successfully completed several transmission substations across the country, which has enhanced the capacity and efficiency of the power transmission network. We initiated the reconductoring of aged and de-rated capacity 132 kV lines and have also built new ones including 330kV transmission lines, which have improved the reliability and capacity of the transmission system. Most aged transformers have been replaced with new ones, and the capacities of existing transformers have been upgraded, resulting in improved system performance and efficiency.

TCN places a strong emphasis on maintaining equipment and infrastructure through proactive maintenance practices and timely procurement of necessary spare parts. This commitment has helped prevent disruptions, enhanced system performance, and reinforced TCN's reputation as a dependable transmission system provider.

The last one year of TCN under the President Tinubu administration has witnessed outstanding successes in all aspects of transmission projects, including initiation, scoping, construction, network operations, and maintenance.

These, among other achievements, have had a transformative impact on Nigeria's power transmission infrastructure nationwide and have consequently improved reliability, efficiency, and capacity, thereby laying a more solid foundation for the country's economic development and growth. Between 2022 and 2023, (Specifically 20 July 2022 – 14 September 2023), TCN operated the grid for 421 days without grid disturbance. We are building on this achievement.