The Oyo State government has commenced the process of establishing 40 mini power grids to complement power generation from the national grid, which will serve the people at the rural areas and government offices

The state is also in the process of installing about 250 kilometers of public lighting projects around the State, so as to illuminate major roads for security reasons and promote economic activities in major markets around the State.

Its commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barr.Temilolu ‘Seun Ashamu said this while answering questions bothering on the coming 2nd year anniversary of the Seyi Makinde administration at his office in Ibadan on Monday evening.

Ashamu said arrangements have been concluded  with Shell  Gas Company to install gas pipelines that will power the mini grid project and thereby decentralize power production in the state.

“The Independent Power Plant (IPP) is about getting on board and the State has entered into agreement with Shell company on laying of gas pipelines for the purpose of power generation in concert with the national power source to provide electricity for the people in the rural areas, urban areas and government establishments.

“The mini grid project is in conjunction with private partners who will provide 19 mini grids while the government will also provide others, this will promote industrialization, cut cost of doing business, provide jobs for the youths and improve the economic power of the people and the government.”

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), a key intervention agency in the power sector, contributes over 3,400 megawatts (MW) to the national grid and has delivered 22 substations since 2015, according to  a new report

Through six National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) thermal power plants and scores of power substations, the company is part of the success story of the power grid currently at about 7,600MW energy delivery capacity in the country,the report also said.

The NIPP project report from 2015 to 2021 indicated that the NIPP programme is currently in its second phase that traverses transmission projects, distribution and renewable energy.

In the first phase, NDPHC which is owned by the three tiers of government commenced  the first phase of NIPP with the construction of 10 gas-fired power plants which it calls “The Big Ten” especially in the Niger Delta.

According to the report,these projects have been essential to fast-tracking the development of the Nigerian power sector, tackling major problems, and meeting the NDPHC’s mandate of lighting the nation. From 2015 to 2021, several projects have been completed or ongoing with lots of progress recorded.

It stated that six NIPP power plants can now generate 3,400MW electricity for the national grid while the four other plants are still under construction even as some of their turbines operate partially.

NDPHC also said from 2015 to 2019, it completed 2194 kilometres of 330 kilovolt (kV) and 887km 132kV transmission lines respectively. Also, the country now has 10 new 330/132kV Substations and eight 132/33kV  substations connected to the national grid. These have added 5590MVA/330kV and 3493MVA/132kV capacity levels, respectively.

From June 2019 to January 2021, NDPHC’s transmission Department completed four new substations, boosting the national grid’s capacity further by 180MVA (Awka and Nkalagu Substations). While the Ihiala and Orlu GIS substations have been completed with a total of  120MVA capacity, the NDPHC has to wait for other associated projects to be completed, before the substations can be connected to the national grid. In terms of transmission, the NDPHC has made commendable progress, with all projects at an average of 80% completion.

Analysis of the report shows that the benefits of these projects are enormous as it has upscaled the nation’s reduction of Aggregate of Technical, Collection and Commercial Losses (ATC& C losses), Improved on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) while incorporating safety valves and different layers of systems protective devices.

The other benefits are better cost recovery systems and Returns on Investment (RoI), inclusive growth and multi-sectoral Multiplier effects with positive impacts on the broad spectrum of a nation’s economy.

For renewable energy, the report said in order to key into the global drive of climate change  and energy transition.The agency  has also diversified its portfolio to include renewable energy to enhance its generation capacity.

The renewable energy department was recently created to facilitate NDPHC’s venture into power generation using on-grid and off-grid renewable energy sources to provide efficient, clean, affordable and universal access to electricity for more Nigerians, and meet the vision of renewables making 30% of the national energy mix by 2030 (Vision 30-30-30).

To this end, several projects have already been completed as at February 2021 and more of such projects are ongoing or upcoming as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan, Economic Growth Recovery Strategies and Re-Industrialization Agenda of the present administration.

In the gas sector, NIPP has a department dedicated to Fuel & Gas/ Public Private Partnership (PPP) to manage all the gas pipeline projects of the company for its 10 power plants.

For electricity distribution, NIPP has completed over 360 injection substations with a combined capacity of about 3,540MW. It has also built about 2,600km of 11kV power distribution lines and 4600km of 33kV distribution lines which directly supply electricity to transformers in residential areas.

There have also been 296 Appropriated Distribution Projects which included injection substations,

1,924km of 33kV lines,

4600km of 11kV line, and other infrastructure.

According to the Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr Chiedu Ugbo, the company has also increased its distribution capacity with the installation of 25,900 Completely Self-Protected (CSP) transformers across the country.

He also said the company has done over 1000 intervention projects nationwide that include fixing vandalized or damaged power infrastructure while increasing the coverage area of power facilities.

The company said although there is progress in project delivery, there are challenges affecting some of these projects in the electricity market.

The major one is the theft of equipment and infrastructure, vandalism, lack of cooperation from Distribution Companies (DisCos).

Others are community issues regarding land and Right of Way (ROIs), vehicular accidents that have damaged some power infrastructure and the rising insecurity across facility areas,” it stated .

Speaking  on the  report, a power sector advocate and President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network (NCPN), Kunle Kola Olubiyo,

“In spite of all the tremendous milestone  achievements by NIPP/NDPHC, there are major areas of impediments on the full realization of the lofty ideals of NIPP as championed by the management of NDPHC.”

Mr Olubiyo said some of these challenges include the delay in taking over projects by the DisCos’ in order  to evade the burden of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).

He also said the delay in eligible customers implementation should be cleared so that more heavy power users can benefit from the new NIPP assets.

Another challenge for the NDPHC is funding which, according to him, should be raised by the equity stakeholders (federal, state and local governments) for more power sector projects.

Mr Olubiyo said: “As a part of the low hanging fruits and quick fixed solutions, there should be an upward review of NIPP GenCos’ tariff to bring it at par with other thermal plants in the country. At the moment, NIPP tariff is currently N20 per Kilowatts Hour (KWH) while other non-NIPP/NDPHC thermal GenCos’ tariff is N27KWH.”

He also advocated the need for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to fast track the valuation of NIPPs investment in transmission, distribution and gas infrastructure. That will enable NIPP/ NDPHC to recover over $3.5 billion investments in the power sector.

“The recovered sum will be reinvested in the power sector and that will again improve or close the infrastructural gap,” he noted.

Olubiyo who was a member of the National Technical Investigative Panel on Power Systems Collapses , Grid Stability And Reliability in June 2013, and a member, Presidential Adhoc Committee on Review of Electricity Tariff in Nigeria in August 2020, also said: “While NERC is working on the valuations, some amounts could be set aside from TCN as payments on account on the revenue derivable by TCN from investments by NDPHC/NIPP. This modality for cost recovery by NDPHC in the interim should be worked out as on – account payment or deposit on account pending conclusion of the valuation.”

He also said the same modality for the NIPP transmission assets applies to the DisCos. “While NERC is working on the valuations, some amount could be set aside from each of the revenue / collections of the DisCos as payments on account as a way of re- couping the  huge investment made by the NIPP  at the downstream/distribution infrastructure. This can also be on – account payment or deposit on account pending conclusion of the evaluation,” he said.

Goody Duru-Oguzie,the Managing Director of PowTech Power International Limited,has emphasized the need for Nigeria to embrace  smart communications technology with a view to nipping frequent collapse of the nation’s grid in the bud.

Last  Thursday, the country was thrown into total black out on account of total collapse of the grid system.The Transmission Company of Nigeria,has promised to investigate the circumstance surrounding the collapse which  denied most Nigerians electricity supply on Sallah Day.

Smart grid communications,he told PREMIUM NEWS, enables utilities to achieve three key objectives: intelligent monitoring, security, and load balancing.

According to him, using two-way communications, data can be collected from sensors and meters located throughout the grid and transmitted directly to the grid operator’s control room.

He said this added communications capability provides enough bandwidth for the control room operator to actively manage the grid.

He said:”The communications must be reliable, secure, and low cost. The sheer scale of the electrical grid network makes cost a critical consideration when implementing a communications technology. Selecting a solution that minimizes the number of modems and concentrators needed to cover the entire system can dramatically reduce infrastructure costs.

 At the same time, the selected technology must have enough bandwidth to handle all data traffic being sent in both directions over the grid network. In concrete terms, a smart grid is an infrastructure that puts emphasis firmly on active rather than passive control. A good analogy is in the control of traffic on a busy stretch of motorway.

” During off-peak periods, cars can drive freely with no speed restrictions other than the maximum speed limit. But in the rush-hour the warning signs on the overhead gantries are used to impose speed limits on specific lanes.

“So, by restricting the speed of movement of individual streams, congestion is avoided, optimizing the flow of all traffic. More intelligent control of power flows in the transmission and distributions systems will allow higher utilization even during high demand periods.

“The management of such a complex grid power system will depend on real-time and secure communications and highly adaptive control systems. These will provide utilities and their customers with real-time information from across the network on the performance of grid installations, power flow and consumer demand. They will allow intelligent automated devices to react to imbalances in the system and also improve asset management by enabling improved predictive maintenance programs and faster emergency response times”.

He attributed  frequent collapse of the national grid to the fact that  Nigeria’s electricity grid lacks adequate two-way communications which is critical to effective and efficient grid management.

The absence of this is responsible for the frequent grid failures and system collapses that has characterized the noted disruptions in power supply to consumers leading to expanded scope of power outages more than ever,he added

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced power hitch to some of its customers in Abuja as a result of planned  maintenance of the 60MVA TR2 from Kubwa TS .

The exercise will last between 09:00hrs and  13:00hrs today, according to the spokesman of the power company,Oyebode Fadipe.

 He said 33kV Kubwa Fdr, would witness power hitch affecting NYSC Camp, INEC quarters, Phase 3, NEPA road, Zenith bank, Access bank, General Hospital, Police Station and environs and entire Kubwa.

Others are;33kV NIPP Fdr, affecting Byazhin Across,  Byazhin, Chika Akule, Bazango and environs as well as  33kV Bwari Fdr,  affecting Dorben Polytechnic, Kuduru, Garan and environs and entire Bwari.

He said:”We appeal to all our customers who are affected to be patient. We are certain that supply will be restored as soon as the maintenance is completed”

There is hope in sight for Nigerians whose resources are being eaten up by huge energy cost as ES-25 Energy Saver has hit the market and ready to give them durable and affordable  service.

Besides,the product’s incursion into the nation’s energy market would not have come at a better time than when the Federal Government is deepening campaign on energy conservation in the country.

The franchise company for the product in Nigeria and West Africa,PowTech Power International Limited,said it’s aware of the mounting campaign for energy saving in Nigeria with a view to reduce the huge resources Nigerians borne on energy in the face of current economic challenges.

The company also said it was aware of other energy products imported into the country and their failure to match Nigerians aspiration in terms of durability,service and feedback from end users.

The ES-25 Energy Saver,the company said,is solution driven and poise to change the narrative with a view to giving consumers maximum value.

The ES-25 Energy Saver is a highly advanced and sophisticated transformer-based power voltage optimizer that allows the incoming electricity supply pass through it and in the process improves the energy efficiency of the electricity supplied and consumed, increases its power factor to ensure up to 25% reduction in electricity consumption, 20% reduction in fuel consumption with fossil fuel  generators while also reducing the frequency of servicing and overall maintenance cost by up to 15%.

It inhibits over-voltage of electricity supply, prevents voltage surges and spikes,  eliminates harmonic distortions and its effects to improve power quality, corrects phase unbalances to prevent incidental fire outbreaks, protects electrical and electronic equipment/appliances like; preventing air conditioner/refrigerator compressor failures, uneven floor landing of lifts and escalators in high rise commercial buildings, recurrent equipment failures; ATMs and digital equipment malfunction, etc.

It uses a tried and tested voltage reduction technology known as voltage optimization to control the voltage while suppressing the load harmonics on lighting and mixed loads.

This lowers the amount of kWh consumed, upon which electricity bills are calculated and in so doing, reduces carbon emissions by the same amount.

The company said the ES-25 Energy Saver is available over a full range of capacities according to the differing load capacities of consumer homes, offices and factories.

 In single phase (1-P) configuration we have: 5KVA, 7.5KVA, 10KVA, 15KVA & 20KVA

In three phases (3-P), we have: 13.5KVA, 18KVA, 22.5KVA, 27KVA, 30KVA, 36KVA, 45KVA, 50KVA, 60KVA, 75KVA,90KVA,105KVA,120KVA, 150KVA, 180KVA, 225KVA, 250KVA, 280KVA, 300KVA, 350KVA, 400KVA, 425KVA, 500KVA, 680KVA and up to 1,000KVA for customized design

On installation, it monitors both voltage and current being fed to the consumers load in a manner as to precisely calculate the consumers power requirement, optimize energy efficiency levels by reducing the wasteful energy and converting same into direct energy savings.

Its high-speed response uses patented algorithms, digital signal processing and patented circuits to continuously monitor the current and voltage to instantly provide the exact amount of energy the consumer equipment/appliance needs.

This reduces unnecessary energy use while improving efficiency in energy utilization.  Es-25 works exceptionally well on lighting and mixed loads including motors, pumps, office equipment and appliances, most of which produce non-linear loads etc.

Before supplying and installing Es-25 energy saver, it is mandatory to conduct an Energy or load audit of the consumer in order to determine the most appropriate configuration of the energy saver suitable for the potential client.

The use of ES-Energy Saver generally improves energy efficiency at the consumer end, ultimately leading to reduced energy consumption and lower bills.

This is very glaring since Energy efficiency (EE) is understood to mean the utilization of energy in the most cost-effective manner to carry out a manufacturing process or provide a service, whereby energy waste is minimized and the overall consumption of primary energy resources is reduced.

Goody Duru -Oguzie,Managing Director for the product in Nigeria and  West  Africa,told PREMIUM NEWS that his company also offers warranty to consumers which can not be matched or equalled by competitive energy saving products in the country.

He added:”We not only sell complete units imported as it were  and  delivered, we also import CKD parts, assemble and  couple them. All ES-25 Energy saver equipment carry a 3- year warranty, maintenance free and  no replaceable parts. Equipment life is 20 years”.

Duru-Oguzie expressed optimism that the product would not only add the desired value to the consumers,but also be part of the revolution that would ensure that energy saving culture is deeply rooted in the minds of Nigerians.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC),  on Wednesday embarked  rally to herald its settlement scheme with 30 per cent discount on bills for its customers.

The company visited major metropolises, markets and residents areas in South-East with fliers and public address systems to herald benefits of the ongoing initiative known as the “Arrears One-Time Settlement Scheme’’.

The fliers reads; “Clear Your Arrears’’, “Get 30% Discount Today’’; “One Time Settlement is to Your Benefit’’ and “This is a Big Window of Opportunity’’.

 The  Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, told Journalists that the scheme would run for three months.

According to him,  the scheme, which took effect on April 22, would lapse by July 31, 2021 saying the scheme covers arrears incurred as at Dec. 31, 2020 and would benefit residential and commercial customers of EEDC under the Non-Maximum Demand category.

He  said: “For our residential and commercial customers to benefit from this scheme, they are to make a one-time full payment of their arrears and enjoy 30 per cent discount instantly.

“Customers are implored to take advantage of this generous and rare opportunity to clear their accumulated arrears.

“Interested customers are advised to visit the manager (customer service) at the EEDC district office nearest to them to obtain full details of the scheme,” he said

Besides,  Manager, Customer Service of EEDC, Mrs Ijeoma Ogudebe, said that the scheme had opened the window for the company’s esteemed customers to lay complaint on contentious issues on their bills or other services.

“The Arrears One-Time Settlement Scheme provides rare opportunity for our esteemed customers to lay any complaint or ask questions in our district offices scattered in the South-East on our services,’’ Ogudebe said.

The Manager, Community Empowerment of EEDC, Mr Nelson Umueze, advised  communities to use the scheme to settle their arrears owed the company.

“This is a rare opportunity opened for communities, and philanthropists that assist communities in making payments, to use this window to settle all arrears and open a clean sheet with the EEDC,’’ Umueze said.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has confirmed gradual recovery of grid which  threw most parts of the country into darkness yesterday.

Premium News,however, reports that power supply to Lagos and its environs have not improved as most lamented over the poor supply given them during the ongoing Eid-el-Fitri celebration

The  country’s national grid recorded another total system collapse,which occurred around 11:01am,was due to voltage collapse at some parts of the grid,according to Ndidi Mbah,spokesman of Transmission Company of Nigeria.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria,she confirmed,commenced grid recovery immediately after the collapse, from Shiroro Generating Station to Katampe TS, Abuja through the Shiroro – Katampe line at 11:29 am, and also through Delta Generating Station to Benin Transmission Substation and has reached Osogbo and parts of Lagos.

Mbah said:”While the grid restoration and power restoration gradually progress to other parts of the country, the cause of voltage collapse that precipitated this failure is equally being investigated.

“TCN appeals for patience as it works assiduously to ensure full restoration of the grid and consequently power supply to the remaining parts of the country.

Grid collapse has been a recurring decimal in the nation’s  privatized power sector with no less than 30 collapse since the beginning of this year

Stakeholders have advocated the need for unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) with a view to strengthening the country’s transmission network and preventing frequent collapse of the grid.

Last month,the World Bank in its report scored Nigeria’s power low and ranked it highest among nations with deplorable access to electricity.

The report also said the nation’s power sector was a nightmare to the real sector of the economy as manufacturers spend huge chunk of their resources on alternative power because of hitch in electricity supply

Meanwhile,the Kaduna Electric has expressed its  apology to irs customers in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Gwandu, Jega, Aliero, Maiyama, Bunza, Kamba, Dakin Gari, Kangiwa and surrounding towns and villages over the power failure currently being experienced in Kebbi Central and Kebbi North Senatorial zones.

This is due the tripping of the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330KV transmission power line which occurred around 5pm yesterday,according to spokesman of the power company,Mallam Abdul Azeez Abdullahi

He said :”Reliable information from the Transmission Works Centre Birnin Kebbi has confirmed that the patrol team despatched since yesterday has identified the fault this morning and human and material resources are being mobilised to move to site for necessary and immediate action.

“While the fault is outside the purview of our mandate as Distribution Company, we however regret the inconveniences caused our valued customers especially at this occasion of Eid-el fitr celebration.We hereby assure our valued customers that normal power supply shall be restored as soon as we receive supply from TCN while wishing our Muslim brothers and sisters a happy and peaceful celebration”.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,  Olalere Odusote, says the state has concluded plans   to have a State Electricity Policy that will serve as a blueprint for the attainment of a universal access to electricity in Lagos.

Odusote disclosed  this at the   2021 ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the second Year anniversary of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the state at Alausa, Ikeja.

The commissioner noted that the electricity policy, when it becomes functional and fully implemented, will also accelerate the “Light-up Lagos” power programme, which the state government had embarked on.

He noted that “Lagos Electricity Policy is vital in achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of this administration and will serve as a key driver for the social and economic development aspirations of the state in consonance with government’s 30-year Development Plan (2021 – 2051), currently being developed.”

He added that Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the procurement and installation of  20,000 units of prepaid energy meters for communities in Lagos in order to improve electricity supply in the affected communities.

The commissioner also emphasised that the Sanwo-Olu led administration has concluded arrangement with a leading smart metering solution company (Elsewedy Electric) on meter supply to target low income communities and also identified transmission infrastructure challenges across the state.