LAGOS: In its continued efforts to strengthen the Lagos electricity market and support reliable, quality and sustainable electricity supply, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission LASERC has intensified collaboration with key players across the electricity value chain through a series of courtesy visits to critical power facilities and stakeholder meetings across Lagos.
The Commission’s delegation, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Temitope George, visited the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Lekki 330kV/132kV and Alagbon 330KV/132KV Transmission Substations, Viathan in Lekki Phase 1 and Elektron Energy’s embedded generation project in Victoria Island.
The visits provided an opportunity for the Commission to interact directly with management and technical teams on their operations, infrastructure capacity, ongoing projects, network performance, challenges and opportunities for improving electricity supply across Lagos State.
The delegation comprised Engr. Adekunle Olopade, Executive Member, Engineering and Standards, LASERC; Engr. Adetunji Adesanya, System Operator, Lagos State Independent System Operator LISO; Mausi Hundeyin, Personal Assistant to the CEO; Temidayo Shokoya, Public Affairs Officer, LASERC; Engr. David Awoderu, Distribution, Safety and Standards; and Engr. Taiwo Ejiwunmi, Generation, Transmission and Testing.
At the TCN Lekki 330kV/132kV Transmission Station, the LASERC delegation was received by Engr. Nelson Eke, Senior Manager, TCN Lekki 330kV/132kV Transmission Station, alongside members of the technical team.
The TCN team took the Commission through the station’s transmission infrastructure, transformer capacity, feeders, network configuration and the interface between transmission and distribution.
Discussions focused on network reliability, fault isolation, protection systems, restoration processes and the importance of continued investment in supporting infrastructure to maximise available electricity supply.
The visit provided LASERC with a better understanding of the available transmission capacity and the challenges that may arise at different points along the electricity value chain, particularly where limitations in distribution infrastructure can affect the delivery of available power to consumers.
The discussions also underscored the importance of effective coordination among stakeholders across the electricity value chain to ensure that available power is efficiently transmitted, distributed and delivered to consumers.
The Commission also visited the Alagbon 330/132KV Substation where the delegation held discussions with key transmission and system operation personnel on the operational status of the facility and issues relating to transmission and system operations within the Lagos electricity market.
The delegation was received by Engr. Umezurike Moses, Assistant General Manager, Transmission, Ajah, alongside Engr. Odunsi Idiat, Principal Manager, NISO; Engr. Akande Muyideen, Principal Manager, System Operation; Engr. Okorie Uchenna Williams, Principal Manager, Ajah; and Engr. Onatoye Enitan, Principal Manager, System Operator.
The meeting provided an opportunity for LASERC and the technical teams to discuss transmission network operations, system coordination, infrastructure capacity, operational challenges and the processes involved in maintaining a stable and reliable electricity supply.
Particular attention was given to the interface between transmission infrastructure and system operations, as well as the importance of effective coordination among relevant market participants in ensuring network stability and efficient delivery of electricity to consumers.
The discussions further reinforced the importance of continuous technical collaboration and timely information-sharing among stakeholders within the electricity value chain.
At Viathan, Lekki Phase 1, the Commission was received by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lekan Adekeye, alongside members of the company’s technical and asset management teams.
Mr. Adekeye welcomed the LASERC delegation and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders towards providing reliable and quality electricity to consumers.
Discussions centred on Viathan’s generation and distribution operations, network infrastructure, service areas and efforts to improve the reliability and consistency of electricity supply.
The Viathan team also highlighted some of the challenges that can affect supply, including network faults, vandalism and the time required to undertake repairs and restore affected areas.
The LASERC delegation was subsequently taken through relevant aspects of the company’s operations, with discussions covering network configuration, protection systems, transformers, feeders, metering, fault response and measures being deployed to enhance network reliability.
The discussions reinforced the importance of continuous investment, effective network management and prompt response to faults in achieving more consistent electricity supply for consumers.
The Commission also paid a courtesy visit to Elektron Energy’s embedded generation project in Victoria Island Ajah, where it held discussions with the project management and technical teams on the progress of the project.
The Commission was received by Mr. Oladipo Ogunniyi, Director of Engineering, Elektron Energy; Mr. Nicholas Ovokerie, General Manager; Engr. Adeyemi Ajayi, EHS Manager; Mika Gummerus, Site Manager, Energy Services/Upgrade, Wärtsilä; Mr. Oreofe Ekundayo, Corporate Services; Mr. Habeeb Ishola, Corporate Services; Mrs. Ololade Oriola, Executive Assistant to the General Manager; Mrs. Sofiyah Olaiwon, Engineering Analyst, and other members of the project team.
The project is designed to provide up to 40MW of embedded generation capacity, with three 10MW engines currently installed and provision for an additional 10MW unit to bring the total capacity to 40MW.
The project team explained that the electricity generated is expected to be evacuated through the nearby injection substation, in collaboration with relevant electricity market stakeholders.
The team briefed LASERC on the progress of the project, including construction activities, equipment installation, safety measures and noise-control systems designed to minimise the impact of the facility on its surrounding environment.
The project team also highlighted challenges encountered in the shipment, clearance and delivery of imported equipment, which have affected the project timeline.
In view of the importance of the project to electricity supply in the area, LASERC requested an updated project milestone schedule highlighting key stages towards completion and commissioning.
The Commission noted that the update would support continued regulatory coordination and enable appropriate monitoring of the project’s progress.
The series of courtesy visits provided LASERC with an opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders across different segments of the electricity value chain and gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between generation, transmission, system operation, distribution infrastructure and the experience of electricity consumers.
The visits underscored the importance of collaboration among market participants, adequate infrastructure, effective network planning, timely response to faults and clear accountability in improving electricity supply.
The Commission reiterated its that may affect electricity supply to Lagosians, while promoting efficiency, transparency, consumer protection and improved service delivery.
The visits form part of LASERC’s ongoing stakeholder collaboration activities aimed at strengthening the Lagos electricity market and fostering an environment that supports investment, innovation, improved infrastructure and more reliable electricity supply.
As the regulator of the Lagos electricity market, LASERC remains committed to setting and enforcing standards, safeguarding consumers, enabling investment, supporting innovation and promoting clean energy, towards achieving its vision: “To be the leading electricity regulator, that facilitates a safe, affordable and sustainable electricity market while enhancing the quality of life for all residents in Lagos State.
“Energy for All Lagosians is achievable.
Temidayo Shokoya
Principal Public Affairs, LASERC
