NISO Blames Faulty Meters For Power Losses

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says poor calibration of electricity meters is a key reason for the country’s high technical losses in the power sector.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with officials of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), NISO Managing Director, Engr. Abdu Mohammed, stressed the need for transparent and accurate certification of meters. He noted that many substations and transmission lines are commissioned without proper testing, leading to inefficiencies.

He called on NEMSA to ensure that all power infrastructure — whether handled by Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), Generation Companies (GenCos), or Distribution Companies (DisCos) — is tested and certified before being put to use.

NEMSA’s boss, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, who also serves as the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, pointed out several challenges affecting grid performance, including illegal use of 33kV feeders, weak enforcement procedures, and disobedience by some DisCos.

To address the problems, both agencies agreed to work together and introduce administrative sanctions to fast-track enforcement, avoiding slow legal channels when necessary.

The agencies will focus on key areas such as metering, safety standards, inspectorate services, renewable integration, and logistics. A major priority is the recertification and standardisation of grid meters across the country.

They also pledged to collaborate with other bodies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to prevent the importation of substandard electrical equipment.

Looking ahead, NEMSA plans to introduce new protocols for safely connecting mini-grids and energy storage systems to the national grid, aligning with the country’s renewable energy targets. Tahir also expressed support for amending the Electricity Act to give NEMSA stronger enforcement authority.

Both NISO and NEMSA say the partnership will help create a safer, more reliable, and more compliant power system for Nigerians.