Transmission faults reduce power allocations to Lagos, Abuja

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed reduced power allocations to Lagos, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria to multiple transmission line outages, according to a clarification issued on Sunday. The system operator said the changes were caused by faults on critical transmission lines rather than a shortage of electricity generation.

The affected areas include the Lagos, Abuja and northern corridors, where outages limited the amount of electricity that could be safely transmitted to consumers. NISO said it adjusted generation dispatch and power allocations in response to the faults.

The operator said the adjustments were necessary to keep the remaining transmission network within safe operating limits and prevent a wider system disturbance. The outages therefore reduced the quantity of power that could be wheeled through the available network to distribution companies and their customers.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by NISO management and titled “Clarification on Recent Changes in Power Allocations Following Transmission Line Outages.” It addressed recent changes in allocations affecting Lagos, Abuja and other regions.

The explanation distinguishes between a constraint in the transmission network and a shortfall in generation. NISO said the reduced allocations followed limitations created by the outages on the transmission corridors, while stating that the reductions were not the result of insufficient generation.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electric Distribution Company serve customers in the Lagos area, which was among the corridors identified as affected. The statement did not provide a timeline for restoration of the affected transmission lines or specify how long the reduced allocations would continue.