The Regulatory and Compliance Department of the Independent System Operation Division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), held its Maiden Regulatory Week from, 2nd – 4th November, 2022, to create awareness on the need to comply with rules and regulations guiding the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The program with the theme “Regulations Compliance as Accelerator of Reforms in the Power Sector,” was declared open on Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022 by Engr. Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, the MD/CEO of TCN who charged System Operators to be proactive in ensuring that provisions of regulatory instruments were strictly observed by stakeholders.

The MD/CEO who was represented by the Executive Director of Independent System Operation (ISO), Engr. Maman Lawal stressed the imperative for all participants to effectively key into the decisions that would be taken at the end of the Conference to enable efficient operation of the market.  

In his keynote address, the Commissioner of Engineering and Performance Monitoring, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Chidi Ike, urged stakeholders in NESI to familiarize themselves with the Grid Code requirements and comply with its provisions as it relates to their functions in order to build a sustainable and enhanced transmission network.

He disclosed that the first Grid Code was developed in 2008 to govern the day-to-day functions of the transmission system in Nigeria, and since 2008 the Code has gone through three reviews to produce the current version which accommodates and integrates emerging operational issues experienced in the field.

According to him, NERC has developed several code standards, regulations and guidelines aimed at guiding operators in the sector. He noted that the Grid Code and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) regulations are key industry instruments that are pivotal to TCN’s operations. He explained that NESI regulations stipulate standards for construction and equipment while the Grid Code helps the System Operator in the operations of the grid.

Dr. Ike further noted that the grid is very important in NESI, and steps have been taken, to activate the Code, especially the compliance component, to ensure that it is guided by the rule and that participants must by the rules to ensure sustainability of the grid.

The General Manager Regulation and Compliance in TCN, Mr. Ali Bukar Ahmad, in his presentation titled “Nigerian Electric Power Policy: The Basis for Reforms and Unbundling”, explained that the reason for reform in the sector was to allow the inflow of resources for expansion, to enhance performance and effectively contribute to socio-economic development.

According to Mr. Bukar, the objectives of the policy were to meet the current and prospective justifiable economic demands for electricity in Nigeria, modernize and expand its coverage, and support national economic and social development as well as improve relations with neighboring countries.

The Workshop had in attendance Chairman of TCN’s Board Sub-Committee on System, Market and Technical Operation, Dr. Imamudden Talba. It also featured presentations by the General Manager (SO), Engr. Nafisa Isa, on Grid Operation and Stakeholders Obligation, Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, (NBET), Mr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa on “Negotiation Skills and Strategies in an Unbundled System”, Grid (GASS) NDPP, Prof. Stephen Ogaji on “Regulated and Deregulated systems in the Electricity Sector.”