The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is on the verge of commissioning state-of-the-art Regional Control Centres in Lagos and Benin Region, marking a significant milestone in the nations power sector.

Speaking on the projects recently, the Regional Operations Manager of Independent System Operation (ISO), Lagos, Engr. Wasiu Adedeji Tijani, stated that the nearly completed control centers, aim to address increasing manpower needs for regional responsibilities in the electricity market. The new infrastructure also seeks to enhance SCADA capacity, providing improved Grid visibility beyond the 132kV level.

Engr. Tijani emphasized the Regional Control Centres role in overseeing operations dispatch and control within the region, highlighting TCN's engagement with stakeholders to keep them informed about the projects. He noted that having a Regional Control Center allows for quicker responses to emergencies or faults in the power grid as operators can quickly assess and address issues, minimizing downtime and improving overall grid reliability.    

Engr Tijani further explained that since Regional Control Centers enable centralized monitoring and management of power grids within a specific geographic area. The facilities will lead to better coordination of resources and reduce the likelihood of overloads or disruptions.

Similarly, Engr. J.O. Joseph, the Regional Operations Manager (ROM) in Benin, revealed that the Benin Regional Control Center, a World Bank sponsored project, is almost completed and set for commissioning. A digital Mini Board in the control room will monitor grid operations in the 330/132kV transmission network, ensure operational compliance, and coordination at regional interfaces, which according to him, is vital in meeting grid requirements. He noted that by monitoring operations and adherence to specifications, the regional centers will contribute to maintaining a secure and reliable power supply.

According to Engr. Joseph, the upcoming commissioning is an indication of TCN's commitment to advancing operational capabilities in the electricity sector.