NERC gives private substation owners 48 days to register

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed owners of privately operated transmission substations connected to the national grid to register and obtain regulatory authorisation within 48 days or face sanctions.

The directive is contained in the Order on the Registration and Authorisation of Grid-Connected Private Transmission Substations (NERC/2026/013), which took effect on March 9, 2026.

Under the order, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) is required to compile and submit to NERC a comprehensive list of all existing Private Transmission Substation Owners (PTSOs) within five days. The operators will then have 45 days to apply for an Independent Electricity Transmission Network Operator (IETNO) permit.

NERC said the framework was introduced to strengthen oversight of privately owned substations connected to the grid and improve system reliability.

According to the commission, owners of private transmission substations used by bulk electricity consumers must obtain an IETNO permit before operating or connecting to the grid.

“New private transmission substation owners must obtain the permit before connecting to the grid, while existing operators must regularise their operations within the stipulated timeline,” the commission stated, warning that non-compliance would attract regulatory sanctions.

The regulator noted that the directive followed reports of frequent transmission line trips disclosed by NISO, which raised concerns about the operational visibility and safety of privately owned grid infrastructure.

As part of the compliance measures, NISO is expected to deploy Internet of Things (IoT)-based metering systems at substation interconnection points within 120 days to enable real-time monitoring of power flows.

Operators will also be required to submit monthly operational reports, while NISO will conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance with the provisions of the order and the Grid Code.

NERC said the directive is aimed at improving grid stability, strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring adherence to operational standards in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.