NEMSA, NISO Unveil Plans To Tackle Metering Gaps

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) have rolled out a collaborative framework to address persistent safety concerns, enforce industry standards, and enhance metering accuracy across Nigeria’s power sector.

The partnership, unveiled at a high-level meeting between the two agencies, includes the formation of a Joint Technical Team that will drive reforms in critical areas such as metering systems, inspectorate services, renewable integration, and the financial and logistical architecture supporting grid operations.

Under the agreement, both NEMSA and NISO will streamline enforcement by adopting administrative sanctions where necessary to avoid the delays of protracted legal processes.

They also pledged to improve data sharing and engage strategic institutions like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service to stem the influx of substandard electrical equipment into the country.

A statement from NEMSA’s media department on Sunday quoted the Managing Director of NISO, Engr. Abdu Mohammed, commending NEMSA for its pivotal role in upholding technical standards and safety in the power sector.

He stressed the urgency of tackling the country’s high Technical Loss Factor (TLF), which he attributed mainly to faulty and poorly calibrated meters.

Mohammed called on NEMSA to enhance transparency and diligence in meter certification, noting that losses linked to inaccurate metering undermine operational efficiency across the entire power value chain.

He emphasised that all new substations and transmission infrastructure, whether installed by Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), Generation Companies (GENCOs), or Distribution Companies (DISCOs), must be tested and certified by NEMSA before commissioning.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing safety and technical compliance by its statutory mandate.

He identified several pressing issues within the sector, including grid instability caused by the indiscriminate use of 33kV feeders, regulatory bottlenecks, and poor compliance among some distribution companies.

Tahir disclosed that NEMSA is developing new protocols to ensure the safe integration of mini-grids and energy storage systems with the national grid, in line with the country’s renewable energy targets.

He expressed his support for a review of the Electricity Act to grant NEMSA stronger enforcement powers and enable it to respond more effectively to emerging sector challenges.