An Abuja-based electricity consultant, Engr. Dike Ejike has recommended the Geometric Power model of electricity development to tackle such issues as constant national grid collapse.
The national grid collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, the second this year and the 14th in the last 12 months. No official reason has been given for the failure.
In a statement in the Federal Capital Territory, Ejike said that communities, businesses, voluntary organisations, and households in the Aba Ringfence, covering nine of the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Abia State were minimally affected by the grid failure because the ringfence generates and distributes its own electricity.
He explained: ‘The Geometric Power Group is Nigeria’s foremost integrated electricity organisation because it is autonomous whereas other power companies in the country are mostly generating ones known as GenCos or Distributing Companies (DisCos).
‘Geometric Power has a GenCo (Generating Company) component and an embedded DisCo known as Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12th DisCo.
‘That’s why it wasn’t much affected by the latest power collapse’.
The consultant said that, immediately the collapse occurred, the Geometric Power plant started a 47MW turbine to replace the 25MW it still receives from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company through the Transmission Company of Nigeria because of the initial difficulties it was having with full gas supplies from the Oil Mining Licence 17 in Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
According to Ejike, the first lesson from the Geometric Power experience in handling national grid collapse is the need to have generation companies and substations that can operate independently.
He, therefore, advocated the building of small hydropower stations and solar power plants, including from abandoned dams across the country.
Ejike explained: ‘Another lesson is the need to have a second national grid.
‘There is no compelling reason for a nation of over 200m to have only one grid which is unfortunately old, poorly managed and fragile’.
The consultant also lauded the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu for proposing to split various DisCos because of the large swathes of territories they cover.
He further said: ‘One reason that Aba Power has over its peers is the manageable area it services.
‘Experience has shown that the smaller the coverage area, the better’.
