The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has convened a two-day validation workshop in Abuja to advance the adoption of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electricity grid. The workshop, which began on Monday, focuses on reviewing the Technical Feasibility, Policy and Regulatory Diagnostics Study for deploying grid-connected battery storage systems across the country.
Strategic Initiative for Grid Stability
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, urged stakeholders to rigorously examine the study and provide informed input reflecting the realities of Nigeria’s power sector. Represented by the General Manager of Engineering, Mojeed Akintola, Abdulaziz described the initiative as timely and strategic, given ongoing efforts to improve power supply reliability. He noted that the BESS project represents a forward-looking intervention designed to address system instability, enhance grid efficiency, and support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
Expert Insights and Collaborative Review
Lead Consultant for the project, Prof. Tajudeen Humble Sikiru, emphasised the importance of a thorough validation process. He called on participants to scrutinise policy and technical documents in detail, stressing that the future performance of Nigeria’s electricity sector could depend significantly on the outcomes of the exercise. Participants were drawn from key institutions, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), among others.
Working Groups and Recommendations
To ensure a comprehensive review, stakeholders were divided into three working groups tasked with examining specific sections of the report. The groups assessed findings, identified gaps and inconsistencies, and proposed recommendations to strengthen the final output. Deliberations during the first day featured robust and interactive sessions, with participants contributing insights based on their technical expertise and operational experience across the electricity value chain. The workshop is expected to continue into its second day, with working groups refining their submissions ahead of a plenary session where consolidated recommendations will be presented.
