The Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Abdu Mohammed Bello, has revealed that transmission losses on the national grid have fallen significantly to 7.05 percent, down from nearly 10 percent at the agency’s inception.
Speaking at NISO’s first anniversary in Abuja, Bello said the improvement comes from targeted operational measures aimed at boosting efficiency and discipline across the transmission network.
“High transmission losses were previously costing the electricity market between N5 billion and N8 billion monthly. We recorded losses close to 10 percent, but we have now reduced it to 7.05 percent and are working to bring it down further to five or six percent,” Bello said.
He credited the progress to stronger coordination across generation, transmission, and distribution segments, alongside better monitoring of grid operations. A key factor, he noted, is the enforcement of the “free governor mode” for generating companies (GenCos), which allows power plants to automatically respond to frequency changes, improving grid stability.
“Compliance with free governor mode has improved system frequency and overall grid reliability, although some operators have yet to fully implement it. Enforcement actions will be taken against defaulting GenCos,” Bello added.
The NISO MD also highlighted efforts to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technology across the electricity value chain, including requiring distribution companies (DisCos) to install IoT meters on 33kV and 11kV feeders.
“This initiative, backed by regulatory directives, will provide real-time visibility of electricity flows from generation to end-users, enhancing market transparency and operational efficiency,” Bello explained.
He further noted that the IoT deployment, alongside the ongoing implementation of SCADA/EMS, will allow operators to monitor the grid in real time, improve data accuracy, and support faster electricity market settlements.
