The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has ordered strict compliance with electricity metering regulations as part of fresh measures aimed at tackling widespread power theft and improving electricity supply across the country.
The directive follows investigations by the agency which uncovered massive electricity theft along the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV double circuit transmission line corridor, with losses estimated at nearly 180 megawatts (MW).
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos recently involving Distribution Companies (DisCos), Generation Companies (GenCos), Eligible Customers and Large Customers under the DisCos, NISO Managing Director, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello, said the agency would enforce tougher controls and sanctions to curb the menace.
According to Bello, the agency discovered serious infractions involving meter manipulation and non-compliance with metering regulations by some large electricity consumers connected to the Ikeja and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies.
“We discovered that the Ikorodu-Sagamu 132kV double circuit line has a lot of very serious theft issues. The magnitude of the thefts is unimaginable. The theft along that line is close to 180 Mega Watts (MW). So you can imagine losing 180MW, which is almost equivalent to the daily allocation of Jos Electricity Distribution Company,” Bello said.
He explained that the discovery prompted consultations with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which subsequently supported NISO’s plans to intensify enforcement measures.
“So we decided to carry out investigations and based on our findings, we consulted the regulator of the power sector, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and we made a presentation to them. So they saw the magnitude of it and now supported us that we should take further steps towards addressing this serious menace in the system,” he added.
As part of the new directives, Bello said all operators and eligible customers must comply fully with the provisions of the Eligible Customer Regulations 2024 and the national metering code.
“We said henceforth, all of these the meters and the instruments must be fully in conformity with the provisions of the metering code which includes the accuracy class compliance, tamper proof configurations, proper installation of defined interface points and compatibility with real-time monitoring systems,” he stated.
NISO also directed the immediate recalibration of metering instruments, including current transformers and voltage transformers, to be conducted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
According to Bello, the agency has also made the installation of check meters mandatory at all interface points to eliminate loopholes exploited for electricity theft.
“That is a provision of the metering code and in most instances you will see that these check meters are not there. So it’s a mandatory directive we have given them to make sure that the relevant parties install the check meters at each and every interface points,” he said.
The NISO boss further disclosed that a joint task force involving NISO, TCN, DisCos and enforcement agencies would be established to carry out corridor-wide monitoring and enforcement operations.
He warned that erring customers would face energy reconstruction, back-billing, financial penalties and possible disconnection from the national grid.
“For instance if we discover a theft by any customer, we will make sure that we reconstruct and back-bill for a period of time so that the customer will pay for the loss we incurred over that period of time. And then, we will also slam financial penalties on such erring customers. For persistent offenders we shall disconnect them from the grid or suspend them from the market and shall undergo further regulatory sanctions as determined by the regulators,” Bello said.
He noted that the Ikorodu-Sagamu line was being used as a pilot project, adding that similar enforcement actions would be extended to other transmission corridors facing related challenges.
The NISO managing director also assured Nigerians that ongoing investments in grid management technology would improve the stability and reliability of electricity supply nationwide.
“We’re improving in the sense that we are deploying technology, systems and processes in place that will ensure lasting and enduring sustainable improvement going forward,” he said.
According to him, NISO is implementing a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS) project to enhance visibility, monitoring and control of the national grid and reduce system disturbances and outages.
