Federal Government Overhauls Nigeria’s Aging National Grid to Boost Power Supply and Stability

In an effort to address Nigeria’s frequent power disruptions and enhance overall supply, the Federal Government has announced plans to overhaul the national grid. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu acknowledged that the grid, now over 50 years old, is fraught with aging, weak, and outdated components. These include power lines, sub-stations, and transformers, all of which have become highly vulnerable to breakdowns due to weather impacts and climate changes.

Minister Adelabu emphasized the urgent need for continuous maintenance to keep the grid functional. “This grid requires a lot of money to maintain in order to ensure adequate and regular maintenance,” he noted, explaining that while the government is committed to preventing outages in the short term, a complete infrastructure overhaul is essential for long-term reliability.

Several large-scale programs are already in place to revamp the grid infrastructure, including the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), also known as the Siemens project, along with the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) expansion efforts supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Siemens project has recently completed its pilot phase, importing 10 power transformers and 10 mobile sub-stations as part of the modernization efforts. With phase one set to begin shortly, Adelabu assured that these upgrades would soon reflect in a more reliable and robust grid performance.

Recent developments in the power sector, including the replacement of older transformers with new units, have already contributed to more stable electricity in some regions. The minister highlighted these advancements, explaining that newly commissioned mobile sub-stations were instrumental in stabilizing power, providing some relief from previous outages.

Despite these initiatives, Adelabu also stressed the importance of public support in protecting power infrastructure. Vandalism, he explained, has severely impacted the grid, adding significant repair costs and compounding challenges for power reliability. He appealed to Nigerians to help safeguard these facilities, pointing out that such actions not only delay progress but increase hardship across the country.

Ultimately, while the overhaul is ongoing, the government’s current focus remains on managing the existing grid to reduce disturbances as new infrastructure is installed. With these projects moving forward, officials hope the improved national grid will support a stable, efficient, and dependable power supply for Nigerians in the near future.