Kunle Kalejaye
20 March 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Due to high system frequency of more than 50HZ in Nigeria’s electricity energy mix, which Distribution Companies are unable to absorb due to some reasons, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN has urged Generation companies to cut generation to ensure grid stability.
The directive to GENCOs to reduce generation according to TCN is imperative to maintain the integrity of the grid, as frequency higher than 50HZ could result in system disturbance.
“It is important to note that the directives are issued with a high sense of duty and responsibility to the nation and the entire electricity industry.
“The System Operators’ decision is based on the fact that at normal operating frequency of 50Hz, the active power generated is equal to the active load consumed and losses,” TCN said in a statement signed by Seun Olagunju
General Manager Public Affairs
Olagunju said it is the duty of the System Operator to monitor the power flow on the national grid to ensure optimal operating conditions, this will ensure the system is operated at a frequency close to 50HZ, and at voltages within tolerable limits.
“However, if the generated power is more than the load connected, the frequency rises higher than 50Hz, which can result in system disturbance. To correct this imbalance, the system operator whose duty it is to maintain system stability has no choice than to ask the generating stations to drop the load to sustain the network integrity. This is the practice all over the world.
“On the contrary, if the load connected is higher than the generated power, the frequency drops below 50Hz and can also lead to system collapse.
“This year, the highest generation level has not exceeded 4,650MW, while the wheeling capacity of TCN is 6,500MW. It is therefore not a wheeling capacity challenge but a demand side management problem from some DISCOs rejecting available power.
“TCN has been reporting this serious challenge of load rejection by electricity distribution companies. The practice is also becoming regular, creating imbalance in the flow of electricity.
“As the nation’s transmission company, we understand the importance of our role in the power sector value chain and the effect our decisions and directives may have on the quantum of power transmitted to end users.
“We also know that power supply is very important for our socio-economic development. Load management decisions at the level of transmission are taken with high sense of duty to the nation and for the growth of the power sector,” she added
