The Federal Government has approved plans to develop a new Eastern-Western electricity grid as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s recurring national grid collapses and strengthen the country’s transmission infrastructure.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the plan at a recent HBSAN energy conference in Lagos, saying the government was preparing to commence procurement for projects intended to improve the reliability and resilience of electricity transmission.
According to the minister, Nigerians could begin to see the benefits of the proposed interventions within two to three years, although the timeline will depend on procurement, project implementation and the completion of critical infrastructure.
The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over the reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply, with grid disturbances disrupting power delivery to homes, businesses and industries.
Government begins nationwide technical audit
Tegbe said the government had commenced a technical audit across the country to identify the weaknesses affecting the power sector and determine which interventions should receive priority.
The exercise is expected to provide a clearer picture of infrastructure gaps and operational challenges across the electricity network.
The government is also clustering the country into three energy zones to guide its investment priorities and focus resources on areas with the greatest demand and economic significance.
The minister identified the Lagos and Abuja corridors as particularly important, arguing that addressing electricity challenges in these areas could resolve a substantial proportion of the country’s wider power-sector difficulties.
He said the two corridors account for a significant share of demand, making improvements in their electricity infrastructure especially important for businesses and consumers.
Transmission expansion seen as critical
The proposed Eastern-Western grid is expected to form part of a broader effort to strengthen the transmission network and improve the movement of electricity across the country.
However, improving transmission infrastructure alone may not eliminate grid collapses. Effective results will also depend on generation availability, system operations, distribution capacity, maintenance and coordination among electricity-sector operators.
A stronger transmission network could help reduce bottlenecks and improve the system’s ability to manage electricity flows, provided that the supporting infrastructure and operational systems are adequately maintained.
Businesses await implementation
Unreliable electricity supply remains a major challenge for Nigerian manufacturers, small businesses and service providers, many of which rely on generators or alternative energy sources to maintain operations.
Frequent interruptions increase production costs, disrupt business schedules and weaken competitiveness.
The proposed grid expansion could provide longer-term benefits if the government translates the approval into timely procurement, funding and project delivery.
For now, the key milestones to watch are the commencement of procurement, the findings of the technical audit and the publication of a clear implementation timetable.
