Minister of Power Calls for Regional Power Grids to End Grid Collapses in Nigeria

Power Grid

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stressed the need for Nigeria to establish regional or state power grids to put an end to the frequent grid collapses that have plagued the country. Speaking at the unveiling of Hexing Livoltek, an electricity meter manufacturing company in Lagos on Wednesday, Adelabu explained that Nigeria’s current reliance on a single national grid leaves the entire nation vulnerable when disruptions occur.

Adelabu pointed out that the country’s power infrastructure is in poor condition, making grid collapses almost inevitable. He emphasized that decentralizing the power system by introducing multiple power grids in various regions and states would ensure greater stability and help prevent nationwide blackouts. According to him, the Electricity Act signed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has paved the way for this decentralization, allowing state and local governments to participate in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

“We all rely on a single national grid today, and if there’s a disturbance, it affects all 36 states. It shouldn’t be like that,” Adelabu said. “This [Electricity Act] will allow us to start moving towards regional and state grids, so if there’s a problem with one grid, only the affected area will be impacted, not the entire nation.”

He further explained that Nigeria's aging power infrastructure, some of which includes transformers that are over 50 years old, contributes to the problem. "You can’t expect such old equipment to perform at optimal levels," he remarked. Without significant investment to upgrade these systems, grid collapses will continue, whether partial or total. Adelabu noted that while Nigeria had gone four months without a major grid collapse, a partial collapse occurred earlier in the week, but it was quickly resolved.

During the unveiling of Hexing Livoltek, Adelabu commended the company for investing in Nigeria’s power sector, especially at a time when some firms are divesting from the country. He described the launch of the meter manufacturing factory as a significant milestone in the push towards local content, job creation, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported equipment.

Hexing Group’s CEO, Robert Liang, expressed optimism about the company’s expansion into Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of advancing clean energy in the country. Liang said, “This is more than just an office; it’s a step towards a future where clean energy drives the growth of this great nation.”

He highlighted Hexing’s 30 years of leadership in smart energy systems, solar technology, and digital infrastructure, reaffirming the company's commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s energy sector.

As of Wednesday evening, the national grid that collapsed earlier in the week had been fully restored.

Would you like me to keep track of the minister's comments on the power grid improvements or the launch of the electricity meter company? Could be helpful for any future updates!