Power Grid Collapse Inevitable, Says FG

Power Grid Collapse Inevitable, Says FG

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the establishment of regional power grids is essential to end the frequent collapses of the national grid in Nigeria. Speaking during the unveiling of Hexing Livoltek, an electricity meter manufacturing company in Lekki, Lagos, on Wednesday, Adelabu acknowledged the deteriorating condition of the country’s power infrastructure, which he believes makes grid failures nearly unavoidable.

He emphasized that implementing multiple power grids across different regions and states would enhance stability within the power sector. The minister highlighted the significance of the Electricity Act, signed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, which decentralizes the power sector, allowing state and local governments to engage in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. This shift would mean that issues affecting one grid would not disrupt power across all 36 states.

Addressing the inevitability of grid collapses, Adelabu stated that without substantial investment in the power sector, the existing infrastructure’s poor condition would continue to result in total and partial collapses. He noted that while there hadn’t been a grid collapse in the previous four months, a partial collapse occurred recently. He emphasized the need for improved response times and the urgent need to modernize aging transformers to enhance overall grid reliability.

Adelabu praised Hexing Livoltek’s investment in Nigeria during challenging economic times, calling it a significant milestone for the electricity sector’s future. He remarked that the launch of the meter factory aligns with efforts to promote local content, create jobs, and reduce the nation’s dependency on imports.

Robert Liang, the Chief Executive Officer of Hexing Group, expressed excitement about the company’s expansion into Nigeria, viewing it as a crucial step toward fostering clean energy growth in the country. The national grid, which experienced collapses on Monday and Tuesday, has since been restored as of Wednesday evening.