Page 13 - AfrElec Week 29 2021

AfrElec NEWS IN BRIEF AfrElec

as it gradually expands the capacity of its
transmission network with the execution of
several projects to ensure grid efficiency and
stability.
“A more robust grid, coupled with the
role we must play under the new Service
Level Agreement and our part in the West
African Power Pool (WAPP), among others,
underscore the need for our engineers to be
trained and retrained, to ensure that they are
relevant and efficient,” he added.

the implementation of new solar PV and wind Nigerian power generation
projects together with hydropower provides
the bulk of additional generating capacities improves to 4,823.60 MW SUPPLY
to meet ACEC future demand at a low cost,
eliminating the need to construct new coal After several weeks of poor performance, Group sues Nigeria’s Ikeja,
power plants. power generation in Nigeria picked up at the
IRENA weekend, reaching 4,823.60 MW on last week. Eko DisCos over failure to
Data from the National System Operator,
an independent unit in the Transmission cap estimated billing
HYDRO Company of Nigeria, TCN, showed that it was
a 19.32 percent higher than the 4,042.40 MW The Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity
Johnson supports Egypt generated on Friday. Distribution Company have been sued
for failing to implement the order capping
NSO data as at 8pm on Sunday showed
over GERD that Ikeja DisCo was the highest load taker estimated billing of some of their customers.
A group, the All Electricity Consumers
with 694,12 MW, followed by Ibadan DisCo
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave with 535.91. Eko DisCo was next with 535.69 Protection Forum (AECPF), filed the suit
his support to Egyptian President Abdel MW. Abuja DisCo took 455.50 MW while dated July 12, before an Ikeja High Court.
Fattah El-Sisi for negotiations on the Grand Enugu DisCo took 381.48 MW. A copy of the suit was obtained by the
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian Others were Kaduna DisCo 254.87 MW, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday
Presidency said. Kano DisCo 238.87 MW, Port Harcourt in Lagos.
In a phone call with Johnson, Sisi affirmed DisCo 257.46 MW, Jos DisCo 175.85 MW The originating summons filed by the
Egypt’s fixed stance to adhere to its historic and Yola DisCo 103.63 MW. The brought group’s lawyer, Olalekan Matti is supported
rights in Nile water and protect its water the distribution companies’ load taking to by a 25-paragraph affidavit deposed to by its
security in the present and the future. 3,989.87 MW. National Secretary, Kehinde Akinloye-Jones.
Sisi affirmed the need for the international Meanwhile, the Transmission Company The claimant alleged that the defendants
community to shoulder its responsibilities to of Nigeria, TCN, has commenced an had failed to comply with the Nigerian
advance the negotiations process seriously intensive training program for 708 engineers Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
and with a real political will to reach a in the company taken from the electrical, Order on capping of unmetered Residential 2
comprehensive, fair and binding agreement maintenance department, Protection, Control, and Commercial 1 electricity customers.
on the filling and operation of the Renaissance and Metering department and linesmen The group claimed both DisCos failed
Dam. across the 10 regions of the company, through to comply with the capping Order NO/
Sisi and Johnson agreed on the importance a World Bank programme. NERC/197/2020 for a period of 10 months
of developing cooperation in the security, Speaking on the programme, Ag. from February 2020 to November 2020 to the
military and intelligence fields, especially in Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. consumers affected by the capping Order.
terms of counterterrorism efforts and efforts Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz said the training is The claimant asked the court to determine
to face illegal immigration and to secure to expose TCN maintenance engineers to whether it was within the power of DisCos to
borders. facility improvement programs under the disobey the directives of NERC pursuant to
They also agreed on furthering economic World Bank’s Nigeria Electricity Transmission section 63(1) of Electric Power Section reform
cooperation and attracting further British Project (NETAP), currently being executed in Act 2005.
investments, especially in light of the positive TCN. They, therefore, asked the court for a
developments the Egyptian economy has According to him, “In all, engineers declaration that the act of the first and second
witnessed in light of the efforts made to undergoing this training are those in defendants violation of the capping method
encourage investments and the promising the Protection, Control and Metering was unlawful.
investment and industrial opportunities Department, PC&M, Electrical Maintenance The group also asked the court for an
secured by ongoing national projects Department, and Lines Maintenance order directing the defendants to refund the
underway in Egypt. Department, totaling 708 engineers from consumers affected by unlawful billing for
the 10 Transmission Service Provider, TSP, the period of 10 months under a repealed
regions nationwide.” estimation billing instead of capping.
The TCN head noted that the company
OUTPUT was prioritizing the training of its staff

Week 29 22•July•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P13