NISO tasked on increase of electricity generation

Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji A. Gbeleyi, has urged the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to increase electricity generation from the present over 5,500MW to 8,500MW in the next one year. He made the charged in Abuja, during the Senior Leadership Team Retreat of the NISO. Speaking with reporters on […]

Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji A. Gbeleyi, has urged the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to increase electricity generation from the present over 5,500MW to 8,500MW in the next one year.

He made the charged in Abuja, during the Senior Leadership Team Retreat of the NISO.

Speaking with reporters on the sideline of the retreat, he explained that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) currently records a wheeling of 5,500MW daily, while generation capacity is well over 14,000MW.

Gbeleyi, who insisted the target is achievable, said in near term, the industry can up its capacity in the next 12 to 18 months by at least 50 per cent.

“Where we stand today, we have about 5,500 MW of power being wheeled on a day-to-day basis.Compare that with the fact that the total nameplate capacity for generation in the country is a bit above 14,000 MW.

He said since the generation capacity is already in place, if the grid can be strengthened, there are chances that distribution infrastructure can also be scaled up.

He revealed that already, the Federal Government has secured $50million loan from the World Bank to finance the upgrade of electricity distribution infrastructure and the NESI will provide 3.2 million meters within the scope.

“Because the generation capacity is there, if this grid capacity can be scaled up, and we build in resilience, you know, chances are that with distribution infrastructure also being scaled up.

The BPE boss added that the Presidential Metering Initiative will provide 2 to 3 million meters to raise the metering record to about 7 million.

He was hopeful to see significant improvement in terms of electricity access for all Nigerians. NISO’s Managing Director, Abdu Mohammed said the 8,500MW target is realizable because of coordination and focus on attracting investment from the private sector.

According to him, NISO expects to see modernization of the grid, resilience, stability and reliability.

On the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), he said the government has awarded new contracts for the system covering the entire nation.

In his goodwill message, the NISO Board Chairman, Dr. Adesesan Akin-Olugbade said the occasion marks not only the beginning of a new administrative era but also a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing journey towards a resilient, transparent and efficient electricity market.