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Tag: Nigerian Independent System Operator

  • NISO blames power generation shortfall on gas disruption

    NISO blames power generation shortfall on gas disruption

    The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) on Tuesday morning blamed the dip in electricity generation on the disruption of gas supply.

    Its management in a statement said the disruption was due to the industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

    “Public Notice on Generation Curtailment Due to Gas Supply Disruptions

    The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the National Grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain,” the statement reads.

    NISO further noted that the disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28th September 2025 to about 3,200 MW at the lowest point.

    In response, NISO said it has promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National Grid.

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    According to the statement, key interventions include:

    Hydropower Optimization: Strategic ramp-ups from major hydro stations, contributing over 400 MW of additional output to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

    The statement added that “Generation Dispatch and Load Balancing: Real-time load adjustments to match available generation with system demand, while preventing a system frequency collapse.

    Voltage and Frequency Support: Continuous deployment of reactive power compensation and reserve monitoring to safeguard system integrity.

    “Demand-Side Management: Selective load shedding, applied as a last resort, to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution.

    “These timely actions enabled the NISO NCC to minimize the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.

    “The System Operator reaffirms its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation.”

  • NISO sends out 4,102MW to 11 DisCos

    NISO sends out 4,102MW to 11 DisCos

    The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) at 15:58 hour of on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 sent 4,102MW to 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

    This was made known in the 24 hours Grid Performance Dashboard of the NISO Grid Statistics yesterday.

    At the hour period review, NISO said it sent out 651MW to Abuja DisCo, 326MW to Benin DisCo, 551 to Eko DisCo, 311 to Enugu DisCo, and 479MW to Ibadan DisCo.

    NISO further noted that at the period under review, Ikeja DisCo got 632MW,  Jos DisCo 226MW, Kaduna DisCo 258MW, Kano DisCo 271NW, Yola DisCo 113MW, and Port Harcourt DisCo 284MW.

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    From the generation end, NISO said 15:00 hour, 17 companies produced 3,140MW.

    According to the dashboard, GPAL (Gas) recorded 0MW, Trans Afam Power 0MW generated 0MW, and Ibom Power (Gas) produced 0MW.

    Some of the generation companies have since shutdown due to paucity of cash.

    Recall the Federal Government is owing the energy generators over N4 trillion, which the Minister of Power has said the government would pay its 50 per cent before this year ends.

    Similarly, NISO said on Monday, the total energy generated in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was 105,004.44MWH, which was an average of 4,375.185MW.

    Meanwhile, the NISO sent out 101,395.61MWH, which was an average of 4,224.81MW to the 11 DisCos on the same day.

    It had on Sunday sent out 101,395.61MW, which was an average of 4,288.855MW to the 11 DisCos, when the GenCos produced 104,446.69MWH, an average of 4,351.94MW.

  • ‘Make NISO operations free from political interference’

    ‘Make NISO operations free from political interference’

    The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) is expected to manage energy load without political consideration or interference for it to function effectively.

    It is also expected to live above the issue of independence and market discipline which drew back the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that ran its three arms.

    An expert in the sector and the ex- Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Public Affairs, General Manager, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe, made this known to The Nation on phone at the weekend.

    According to him, the NISO is now expected to operate as a private firm.

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    He said: “What we therefore have now is a situation where the NISO can manage the load in such a manner that it will manage the load in the most efficient manner instead of giving room for political issues before taking decisions. The NISO is supposed to be a full fledged company that runs like a private entity.”

    Recall that in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023 and pursuant to the Order of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) dated 30th April 2024, with effect from 1st May 2024, the NISO was established.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 19, he also approved the appointment of Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade as the board chairman and Engr. Abdu Mohammed as the Managing Director.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the pioneer board and management of the NISO last week. 

    Fadipe, who is now the Sage Consulting, Lead Power Sector Analyst, explained that for the first 10 years of the privatised power sector, three institutions were put under the headship of the TCN Managing Director partly because it was a period of learning.

    He added that it was  also because two of these institutions could be managed by one Chief Executive Officer.

    According to him, that way, cost was managed as every cost in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is a pass through cost.

    He however noted that “It is the end user that bears the brunt ultimately.”

    Fadipe said the institutions are the load management, which is the product;  the equipment which are the towers, lines & some other equipment and; the Market Operator.

    He said it made and continues to make a lot is sense to run the system that way.  But it was not without its own challenges.

    According to him, “For instance, the issue of independence & market discipline was largely impeded with TCN running the three arms.

    “ A privatised NESI was therefore in need of an independent System Operator that will be able to manage the load with little or no interference.

    “If it runs that way, then we are on the right path.”

    Continuing, he said by bringing out NISO, it is also a move in the full privatisation of TCN, which market participants have clamoured for in the past.

    Leaving the situation to time to tell, he said “All said, let us see whether NISO will improve efficiency or function as another drain on the economy.”

    Similarly, speaking with The Nation, the Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre (EPAC), Executive Director, Chief Princewill Okorie said the NISO cannot be independent of the TCN in reality because it is made up of staff of the company that have not changed overnight.

     He was of the view that since the staff of the TCN staff would operate the NISO, it would remain a mere change of name.

     Okorie insisted that for NISO to truly severe from TCN, the Federal Government should have engaged staff outside the company.

    According to him, the TCN would prefer those who can cover its track in the NISO.

    His words: “The change of name does not change anything from TCN. The staff are still TCN staff. They are not from the moon so the NISO success is doubtful.”