- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued the Order on the Registration and Authorisation of Grid-Connected Private Transmission Substations (NERC/2026/013).
The order, which took effective 9 March 2026, is reportedly aimed at strengthening oversight of privately owned substations connected to Nigeria’s national grid.
This was contained in a statement issued by NERC on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the order establishes a regulatory framework requiring owners of private transmission substations used by bulk electricity consumers to obtain an Independent Electricity Transmission Network Operator (IETNO) Permit before operating or connecting to the grid.
NERC also cited the need to improve grid reliability, safety, and operational visibility following frequent transmission line trips reported by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) as another reason for the directive.
Under the Order, NISO is mandated to submit to NERC a comprehensive list of all existing Private Transmission Substation Owners (PTSOs) and notify them of the provisions of the Order within five (5) days.
Existing PTSOs are also ordered to apply to NERC for an IETNO permit within 45 days.
New PTSOs are to obtain the permit before connecting to the grid, as non-compliance attracts regulatory sanctions.
NERC also gave NISO 120 days ultimatum to deploy IoT-based metering systems at substation interconnection points.
Operators are to submit monthly operational reports, while NISO will conduct inspections to ensure compliance.
Overall, the Order aims to enhance grid stability, regulatory oversight, and compliance with the Grid Code in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.