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TCN Raises Alarm Over DisCos’ Power Load Rejection

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—Says it’s forcing GenCos To Cut Generation Against National Requirement

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised alarm over rejection of power loads by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) thereby forcing Generation Companies (GENCOs) to cut down on power generation.

The cut down on power generation due to rejection of loads for distribution is against the needed quantity (Mega Watts) of power essential for industrial development of the country as well as what is required to sustain better socioeconomic standards.

TCN had further complained that the rejection of power for distribution by the DISCOs is subjecting its transmission facilities to excess frequency due to storage and none distribution of power generated by the GENCOs.

Against the request of DISCOS to generation companies to ‘ramp down’ power generation, TCN said: “Electricity is not stored but is used as it is being generated.

“Therefore at any particular moment in time, there is a power flow balance equation that determines system frequency, with the target of operating at 50HZ frequency.

“It is the duty of the System Operator to monitor the power flow on the national grid to ensure optimal operating conditions, this will ensure the system is operated at a frequency close to 50HZ, and at voltages within tolerable limits.

“Recently, high system frequency (more than 50HZ) has been observed, necessitating corrective measures. The options to bring down the frequency to 50Hz are: Distribution Companies to absorb more load or Generation companies to reduce generation.

“The first option is the appropriate line of action.However, due to inexplicable reasons, some DISCOs failed to take more load as generation increases. This has left the System Operator with no other option than to ask the GENCOs to reduce generation to ensure grid stability.

“The directive to GENCOs to reduce generation is imperative to maintain the integrity of the grid, as frequency higher than 50HZ could result in system disturbance.”

Further, TCN in a statement by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju stressed that the directives was issued with a high sense of duty and responsibility to the nation and the entire electricity industry.

She also explained that the System Operators’ decision is based on the fact that at normal operating frequency of 50Hz, the active power generated is equal to the active load consumed and losses.

“However, if the generated power is more than the load connected, the frequency rises higher than 50Hz, which can result in system disturbance.

“To correct this imbalance, the system operator whose duty it is to maintain system stability has no choice than to ask the generating stations to drop the load to sustain the network integrity. This is the practice all over the world.

“On the contrary, if the load connected is higher than the generated power, the frequency drops below 50Hzand can also lead to system collapse.
This year, the highest generation level stands at 4,650MW while the wheeling capacity of TCN is 6,500MW.

“It is therefore not a wheeling capacity challenge but a demand side management problem from some DISCOs rejecting available power.

“As the nation’s transmission company, we understand the importance of our role in the power sector value chain and the effect our decisions and directives may have on the quantum of power transmitted to end users.

“We also know that power supply is very important for our socio-economic development. Load management decisions at the level of transmission are taken with high sense of duty to the nation and for the growth of the power sector.”

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