KEY POINTS

• NISO MD Abdu Mohammed Bello says transmission losses have dropped to 7.05 percent from near 10 percent at inception, saving the electricity market between N5 billion and N8 billion monthly
• NISO is enforcing free governor mode for GenCos to stabilize grid frequency; some operators remain non-compliant and face enforcement action
• NISO is scaling IoT meter deployment across DisCos’ 33kV and 11kV feeders to achieve end-to-end real-time grid visibility alongside ongoing SCADA/EMS implementation

Abdu Mohammed Bello, Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, said Wednesday that NISO transmission losses have fallen to 7.05 percent, down from near 10 percent at the agency’s inception, saving the electricity market between N5 billion and N8 billion monthly.

Speaking at NISO’s first anniversary in Abuja, Bello credited targeted operational interventions and stronger coordination across generation, transmission and distribution segments. He also said the agency is targeting a further reduction to between 5 and 6 percent.

Free governor mode enforcement stabilizes grid frequency

“We recorded a very high transmission loss factor at some point, close to 10 percent,” Bello said. “We have reduced it to 7.05 percent and we are working to reduce it further.”

Bello said the enforcement of free governor mode requires generating companies to automatically adjust output in response to frequency fluctuations, a mechanism he described as critical to grid stability.

While compliance has improved, some operators are yet to fully comply. Additionally, Bello warned that NISO will take enforcement action against defaulters.

IoT rollout to deliver end-to-end grid visibility

Moreover, NISO is scaling up IoT meter deployment across the electricity value chain, requiring distribution companies to install meters on their 33kV and 11kV feeders under regulatory orders.

Bello said the IoT initiative, alongside ongoing SCADA/EMS implementation, will deliver real-time grid monitoring, improve data accuracy and support faster market settlements. Furthermore, he said complete IoT rollout will close the visibility gap that currently limits NISO transmission losses tracking from generation point to end-users.

“By the time we complete the IoT deployment across generation, transmission and distribution, we will achieve end-to-end visibility of the grid,” Bello said.