The Federal Government has introduced an advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to enhance the monitoring and management of the national power grid Performance.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the project was funded by the World Bank to reduce frequent power grid collapses and enhance supply reliability.
Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, during a demonstration event at the national control centre (NCC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja, said the SCADA system plays a significant role in revolutionising the management of the grid.
Represented by Emmanuel Nosike, the acting Permanent Secretary, Adelabu disclosed that the technology allows for real-time monitoring of the grid’s performance, improving response times to outages and optimizing system load management.
“Adelabu explained, that the SCADA system will help to monitor the entire electricity network from a centralized location, ensuring prompt responses to outages, efficient load management, and optimized system performance,”.
He further highlighted that the system includes automated data collection, fault detection, and remote-controlled operations, all aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s power infrastructure and implementing smart grid technologies.
This development is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Access Project (NETAP), which focuses on achieving energy security and expanding electricity access for Nigerians. It also paves the way for increased private sector investment and innovation in the energy market.
On his part, Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, praised the successful demonstration of the SCADA system, describing it as a result of years of effort by the government to ensure reliable power supply.
He noted that the contract for the system was awarded in 2022 and includes the installation of over 2,700 kilometers of optical ground wire along transmission routes, with repairs completed on approximately 2,500 kilometers of existing lines.
Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director, represented by Bunu Burkar, task team lead, said the project, currently 69 percent completed, is expected to be fully operational by mid-next year.
Diop said discussions are underway to extend the project timeline by six months to address implementation delays.
He added that the World Bank remains committed to supporting the sector to ensure energy reliability.
On August 20, the TCN had said it commenced the implementation of the SCADA systems to enable real-time monitoring and control of the power grid.
