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The unbundling and partial privatisation of Nigeria's power sector over a decade ago led to the establishment of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), a crucial entity serving as the linchpin in the electricity value chain. As the middleman, TCN is tasked with the vital responsibility of transmitting bulk electricity from generation to distribution companies for inward offtake to the doorstep of final consumers across the nation.

As a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), TCN is diligently striving to fulfill its mandate, pivotal to resolving the long-standing challenges plaguing public power supply in the country. To achieve this lofty goal, the company is spearheading numerous high-impact initiatives, including grid expansion, construction of state-of-the-art transmission substations, reconductoring of existing lines to enhance capacity, and implementing a sweeping digital transformation strategy designed to propel Nigeria's electricity transmission infrastructure into a new era of efficiency and reliability.

Despite TCN's notable achievements in various spheres, automating national grid management and control remains a formidable challenge. Nigeria's journey towards grid automation commenced in the late 1990s, but past Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA/EMS) projects have not fully achieved their intended goals. Nevertheless, these earlier efforts have provided invaluable insights, informing the development of a more robust and effective automation strategy for the national grid.

In a landmark milestone, Wednesday, 18 September 2024, marked a significant leap towards overcoming Nigeria's three-decade-long struggle with grid management. On this day, TCN unveiled a demonstration of its cutting-edge SCADA system at the soon-to-be-completed National Control Centre (NCC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Funded by the World Bank to the tune of $56 million, this pioneering project is designed to empower grid managers with real-time monitoring capabilities across the entire electricity network from a central hub, leveraging upgraded existing systems and innovative technologies to dramatically enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability.

Addressing the gathering at the demonstration ceremony, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, revealed that the project has achieved remarkable progress, with approximately 69% completion. Notably, this milestone encompasses the successful manufacturing and shipping of essential automation, telecommunication, and Control Centre equipment, as well as the deployment of over 3,000 kilometres of Fibre Optic Cable along transmission line routes, nearly half of the total 5,400 kilometres earmarked for the project.

Similarly, the supply and installation of SCADA and telecommunication equipment in over 100 transmission substations nationwide have been completed. Additionally, existing equipment in the network has been reactivated and reintegrated, and two Regional Control Centre buildings, located at Ikeja West and Benin, have undergone refurbishment and extension.

The project has also made significant progress with the setting up of Control Centre Equipment for the two National Control Centres at Gwagwalada and Osogbo, as well as the Regional Control Centres at Ikeja West and Benin. To ensure seamless operations, 135 technical staff have undergone offshore training on the operation and maintenance of SCADA and telecommunications equipment and will be readily available to man the technology when fully deployed on completion by mid-next year.

According to Abdulaziz, "with the progress recorded so far, the project is set to change the landscape of system operations in the NESI by ensuring the operational efficiency using state-of-the-art modern equipment to monitor and control the grid, while also enabling global visibility of the transmission network, thereby empowering the operator with the tools to make informed decisions resulting in improved Grid Management".

On the return on investment (ROI), the TCN’s Chief Executive said that it'll improve power quality, reliability, and stability, which will encourage large industries that previously avoided the grid due to poor power quality to connect, thereby increasing revenue from the electricity market. He also said that the utilisation of the SCADA/EMS tools to improve grid performance and reduce transmission losses will save the sector millions of naira daily.

Mr. Abdulaziz appealed for an extension of the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) project to complete outstanding tasks, citing the current timeline as insufficient. He also sought necessary ministerial and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals to progress certain project aspects. Similarly, he urged the federal government and donors to provide additional financing to address substation deficiencies and transmission line limitations, even as he requested cooperation from market participants to permit scheduled outages on transmission lines.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other stakeholders have also expressed delight over the progress made at the demonstration, a welcome departure from previous attempts that fell short. Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Emmanuel Nosike, Adelabu hailed the SCADA system's potential to enable real-time monitoring and control, which is crucial for effective national grid management. He noted that its deployment marks a bold step towards addressing long-standing issues plaguing the sector.

Adelabu urged stakeholders in the NESI to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the SCADA system to enhance their operational capabilities and service delivery to Nigerians. He noted that with features such as automated data collection, fault detection, and remote-controlled operations, TCN is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive power sector.

According to him, "This initiative aligns seamlessly with our broader vision of achieving energy security and expanding access to electricity for all Nigerians, which is the primary objective of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Access Project. The introduction of SCADA is part of our smart grid efforts to modernise our power infrastructure and implement smart grid technologies. As we strive to provide reliable electricity, we are also creating an environment that is conducive for private sector investment, innovation, and development in the energy market."

The World Bank Country Director, Ndiame Diop, described the unveiling of the SCADA technology as historic. Speaking through Task Team Lead, Bunu Bukar, he expressed optimism that this milestone marks the end of previous attempts to achieve a stable electricity supply in Nigeria. Dr. Diop assured that the "World Bank will continue to support the SCADA project and other initiatives aimed at ensuring a reliable electricity supply. With the project set to conclude in December, we're discussing a six-month extension to ensure its successful completion."

Iyali Peter is Assistant Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria.