Nigeria begins building new energy system control center — Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria’s federal government has begun construction of a new National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator in the city of Osogbo, Osun State. The facility is intended to replace the existing center, which is 64 years old and, according to the authorities, no longer meets the technical needs of managing the national power grid, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held with the participation of a representative of Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima — the Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters in the Office of the Vice President. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe supported the event. Shettima said that reliable electricity supply is the foundation for the functioning of the economy, manufacturing, small businesses, hospitals and schools.
Grid monitoring systems
According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, the new center will be equipped with an integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, large screens and advanced analytics tools. This is expected to enable operators to monitor the condition of the power grid, identify potential faults, plan preventive maintenance and use available generation and transmission capacity more efficiently.
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The ministry said the equipment is expected to improve responses to disruptions, facilitate the integration of renewable energy and strengthen Nigeria’s coordination within the West African Power Pool. According to the ministry’s statement, the center will also have enhanced physical and cybersecurity measures.
Dependence on other system elements
Minister Joseph Tegbe said the center is expected to reduce avoidable outages and improve the reliability of electricity supply for households and businesses. At the same time, he stressed that the outcome will also depend on sufficient gas supplies, proper maintenance of transmission infrastructure and the efficiency of distribution networks.
Bello Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, noted that upgraded telemetry systems, SCADA and automated metering are expected to improve operational decision-making, the reliability of electricity supply and settlements in the energy market. According to him, the organization is also preparing personnel to work with the new infrastructure in line with international standards.
