The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially inaugurated a new Grid Code Review Panel (GCRP) aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of the country’s power sector.
The grid code, a vital set of technical rules and procedures, governs the operation, maintenance, and development of Nigeria’s electricity transmission system.
NERC stated that the newly formed panel will play an integral role in streamlining and improving the power sector by ensuring that operations align with the sector’s evolving needs.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, March 12, NERC revealed that the panel’s primary responsibility would be to evaluate and administer amendments to the grid code, a framework outlining the technical requirements for connecting to and using the national electricity grid.
The grid code serves as the backbone for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient transmission of electricity across the country.
The GCRP is tasked with reviewing proposed amendments to the existing grid code, after which it will present its recommendations to the stakeholders’ advisory panel for further scrutiny. Once reviewed, the amendments will be submitted for NERC’s approval.
According to NERC, the panel consists of 19 members, including 15 principal members and four secretariat staff.
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These members have been drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including generation companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), distribution companies, and eligible customers, reflecting the diverse interests within the power sector.
At the inauguration ceremony, Chidi Ike, NERC’s Commissioner for Engineering Performance and Monitoring, highlighted the timely nature of the panel’s formation, particularly considering that the previous GCRP was established in 2018.
He noted that significant developments have occurred in the operation of the national electricity grid since the last panel was appointed.
“The inauguration of the current GCRP members is critical at this juncture, given the advancements and changes that have taken place since 2018. The landscape of Nigeria’s electricity grid has evolved considerably, and the time for a fresh review of the grid code is now,” Ike remarked.
In his address, NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba emphasised the importance of the panel’s work, urging the members to remain dedicated to their responsibilities.
Garba stressed that the successful review and updating of the grid code would be essential in ensuring that Nigeria’s electricity transmission system meets the sector’s current and future needs.
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Nafisat Ali, the chairperson of the newly inaugurated panel, assured the gathering that the members would collaborate closely to carry out their duties with diligence and professionalism.
Ali expressed confidence that the panel’s work would contribute significantly to the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s power sector.
This development marks another step forward in NERC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s electricity infrastructure and improve service delivery to consumers.
