NIGERIA'S POWER SECTOR: NEMSA, NISO Forge Strategic Alliance to Tackle Safety, Standards and Metering Challenges

"The Agency is developing protocols to safely integrate mini-grids and energy storage systems with the national grid in line with Nigeria’s renewable energy goals. He also reiterated the agency’s support for a review of the Electricity Act to strengthen its enforcement powers." Engr. Tahir, MD/CEO NEMSA.

 

In pursuit of an improved power sector across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), announced a joint action plan to strengthen safety, enforce standards and regulations, and enhance metering accuracy across the country’s power sector.

Disclosing this in his welcome address, Engr. Abdu Mohammed, Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator NISO, reaffirmed NEMSA’s vital role in enforcing technical standards and regulations, conduct testing and certification of electrical installations and equipment throughout the sector. 

Engr. Mohammed highlighted the urgent need to address Nigeria’s high Technical Loss Factor (TLF), which is largely attributed to inaccurate and poorly calibrated metering systems.

He urged NEMSA to prioritize transparent and accurate certification of meters to reduce losses and improve efficiency, stressing that all new substations and transmission lines; whether managed by Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), Generation Companies (GENCOs), or Distribution Companies (DISCOs), must be thoroughly tested and certified by NEMSA before commissioning.

Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) who is also the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation,  underscored the agency’s unwavering commitment to enforcing safety, technical standards and regulations in line with its mandate. 

He outlined the challenges facing the sector, including grid instability caused by the indiscriminate use of 33kV feeders, lengthy enforcement processes, and noncompliance by some DISCOs.

According to him, in order to address these challenges, both agencies agreed to collaborate as well as fast-track enforcement by introducing administrative sanctions to avoid lengthy legal processes where necessary.

In a significant step, a Joint Technical Team; comprising of representatives from both sides was constituted. The team will focus on key areas including metering, standards, inspectorate services, renewables, financial and logistics frameworks. Their immediate priority will be the recertification and standardization of grid metering systems nationwide.

A statement issued and signed by Ama Umoren, Head Communications and Protocol of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), disclosed that "Both agencies also pledged to share data, collaborate with other stakeholders like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service to curb the influx of substandard electrical materials."

Looking ahead, Engr. Tahir, MD/CEO of NEMSA said the Agency is developing protocols to safely integrate mini-grids and energy storage systems with the national grid in line with Nigeria’s renewable energy goals. He also reiterated the agency’s support for a review of the Electricity Act to strengthen its enforcement powers.

Through this partnership, NEMSA and NISO aim to deliver safer, more compliant, and more reliable electricity infrastructure for all Nigerians, the MD/CEO NEMSA stated.