Nationwide grid collapse: Minister Adelabu collaborates with NSA on security around power installations, sends warning to electricity workers

Oredola Adeola

The Ministry of Power has initiated collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to enhance security around power installations across Nigeria, following the recent nationwide grid collapse and blackout due to a fire outbreak at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN’s Kainji/Jebba 330kV line 2 (Cct K2J) blue phase CVT and Blue phase line Isolator of Kainji/Jebba 330kV line1.

The Ministry has also warned electricity workers against unauthorized shutdowns of the national grid during industrial actions, which it described as an act of economic sabotage and threats to national security.

Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power made this known at the weekend during a tour of the National Control Centre facilities in Osogbo and the Osogbo sub-regional office of TCN.

EnergyDay’s check showed that on September 14, 2023, Nigeria experienced a nationwide power outage for about 10 hours after the country’s electrical grid collapsed due to a fire outbreak at the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s sub-station facility in Kebbi State.

According to Adelabu, in our efforts to improve the power sector, we will continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders with the aim of boosting power generation and ensuring the seamless transmission and distribution of electricity across the entire country.

He said, “We have initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the fire outbreak at the TCN substation facility in Kebbi State.

“The fire caused significant damage, including the destruction of transformers valued at millions of Naira.

“To address this issue, we have established a high-level investigation panel to determine the cause of the fire outbreak. If the investigations reveal any acts of sabotage, culprits will face the full force of the law,” the Minister said.

He therefore emphasised the plan to prioritize the protection of the national grid by implementing adequate security measures to prevent acts of sabotage.

Adelabu further revealed that unauthorized shutdowns of the national grid during industrial actions involving electricity workers are seen as acts of economic sabotage and threats to national security.

According to him, such actions can lead to the vandalization of the national grid, which is illegal, costly, and dangerous.

He said, “We will engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure that such incidents do not occur under any circumstances in the future.

“Protecting the national grid is a shared responsibility that requires the participation of everyone. We must avoid any actions that could lead to a national blackout, as it not only poses dangers to our economy and national security but also jeopardizes the well-being of households, businesses, and industries.

The Power Minister further acknowledged the significant contributions of all stakeholders in the power sector in maintaining stability in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

He also emphasized the need for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to achieve further efficiency in delivering stable, affordable, and reliable electricity services to the nation.

While commending the management and staff of the National Control Center for their efforts in promptly restoring power whenever disruptions occur in the grid, Adelabu noted that he is committed to upgrades and modernization of the facility.

He said, “Our goal is to enhance the services at the center by incorporating advanced technologies, thereby improving the reliability and stability of power transmission through the national grid.

“Our primary focus is on expanding the electricity transmission capacity and implementing measures to significantly enhance the grid’s capacity.

“This will ensure a consistently stable national grid. To achieve this, we plan to conduct a simulation and stress-testing exercise on the National grid.

Adelabu therefore noted that the objective is to determine the current capacity of the grid and identify the necessary expansions to facilitate the transmission of more generated power to the grid for distribution to end consumers.