Energy
Nigerian Power crises: Manitoba pledges to work closely with TCN staff
As a move to enhance a peaceful take-over and management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, following the crises which broke out in the nation’s power sector after the take-over of TCN by Manitoba Hydro International , the new CEO of the company, Don Priestman has said that the new management will work closely with the legal TCN staff, particularly during the transitional month to ensure a seamless takeover from legal management.
By Joseph BAIDELE
ABUJA – As a move to enhance a peaceful take-over and management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, following the crises which broke out in the nation’s power sector after the take-over of TCN by Manitoba Hydro International , the new CEO of the company, Don Priestman has said that the new management will work closely with the legal TCN staff, particularly during the transitional month to ensure a seamless takeover from legal management.
He said this at a familiarization meeting convened by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission at its headquarters in Abuja. He was accompanied by other senior management staff TCN.
According to him, the new management’s experience and technological wherewithal will be brought to bear in the management of the TCN, adding that the company expects to work with skilled legacy staff to deliver an efficient transmission system for the country.
He said, “We are assuring the staff of TCN that we are committed to the growth and development of the company, using the most modern technology to bring the vision of government towards efficient power transmission to millions of Nigerians.
“Our experience over many years in power systems management would certainly come to bear on the management of TCN, and we are more than ready to keep the promises we made on expanding power transmission infrastructure to provide Nigerians with more reliable power.”
Mr. Priestman, meanwhile, presented a diagnostic of TCN, focusing on the inherent manpower levels and skills gap deficit and succession planning.
He also presented a proposal for steps that should be taken towards full TCN unbundling and ring fencing of Transmission Service Provider (TSP), System Operator (SO) and Market Operator (MO) functions by way of sufficient sustainable TCN revenues and capital budget approvals, staff training, skills development and succession planning and strong enforcement of Market Rules by NERC, to name a few.
The Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005 requires that TCN be made up of two entities namely System Operations and the Transmission system Provider. Market Operations which is domiciled in System Operations, is also to be ring fenced. Ring fencing refers to separation that translates to financial and operational autonomy. It is believed that the separation of these entities will lead to reduction of bureaucracy and ultimately, enhanced efficiency.
Dr. Sam Amadi – Chairman/CEO of NERC informed Mr. Priestman and his team that the Commission wanted to see an efficient transmission system, and has promised to work closely with TCN to realize this.
Manitoba Hydro International, a company won the contract on April 3 through a bidding process conducted by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). They assumed operational control of the company on 30th July, 2012.
The TCN is one of the companies scheduled for Management Contract deal to transit it into a financially sustainable, self-sufficient and market-driven player in the power sector.
Manitoba, which is the electric power and natural gas utility in the province of Manitoba, Canada currently operate 15 interconnected generating stations and has more than 572,000 electric power customers and over 263,000 natural gas customers. Its world-class technical and organizational capabilities have enabled it to perform power sector works in over 60 countries.
Within Manitoba Hydro’s system, there exists a total of 9,089 km of transmission lines throughout the province of Manitoba, spread across a wide variety of physical terrain, including swamps, permafrost and bedrock.
TCN is one of the eighteen successor companies carved out of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN.) It combines the functions of a transmission services provider, a system operator and a market operator, all of which are central to the sustainability and development of the electricity sector.
Following unbundling, TCN emerged as one of the successor companies of PHCN and was scheduled for a Management Contract in order to transit the company into a financially sustainable, stable, self-sufficient and market-driven company.
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company (FGN Power Company) has announced significant progress in the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which is set to revolutionize the nation’s electricity transmission landscape.
The initiative, in partnership with Siemens, aims to enhance the country’s power infrastructure through the deployment of advanced technology and equipment.
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Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, revealed that the installation and commissioning of eight power transformers across key locations are now complete.
The transformers have been successfully deployed in Ajah, Maryland, Apo, Okene, Ihovbor, Amukpe, Potiskum, and Birnin Kebbi, resulting in a notable increase in the transmission wheeling capacity by 569.6 megawatts (MW).
In addition to the transformers, three mobile substations are operational in Ajah, Jebba, and Kawnar Dangora, further boosting the transmission capacity by an additional 151.2 MW.
Anuwe emphasized that these enhancements are pivotal in addressing the energy needs of the country and supporting economic growth.
Looking ahead, Anuwe stated that the transmission network will be augmented by an impressive 720.8 MW, with plans to commission the remaining equipment to deliver at least another 500 MW by the end of 2024.
This strategic initiative is expected to significantly improve power distribution and reliability, marking a transformative step towards a more robust energy sector in Nigeria.
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