The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has accused most power generation companies (Gencos) of not providing correct information about the capacities of their plants, thereby leaving room for abuses or fraudulent financial claims on capacity charges.
The TCN position was in response to Gencos’ allegation that the company was undermining their efforts, through its management of the grid code, to load more power to the national grid.
The General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, alleged that the Gencos engaged in fraudulent filing of their capacities to its National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, and that in most cases, the national load demand was higher than the generation capacities of the Gencos.
She clarified: “The average dispatch for the power plants for April is about 78 per cent of actual available generation capacity which is much higher than the figure of less than 50 being claimed by the Gencos.
“A large number of power plants submit fraudulent generation capacities and not able to deliver when asked to do so by NCC. This is done in order for them to get paid for capacities they do not actually have.
“In many instances, the national demand during peak periods is far higher than actual available generation capacities of Gencos despite the fabulous capacities they declare,” Mbah added.
The company’s spokesperson gave reasons why the TCN had not procured spinning reserves as stated by the grid code, stating that “TCN has not procured spinning reserves yet because most power plants have not satisfactorily placed their units on frequency response as required by grid code.”
According to her, TCN can only dispatch what the distribution companies and eligible customers are willing to take, adding that this accounts for why load rejection by Discos, especially during rainstorms, is such a big problem that must be solved expeditiously.
Mbah stated that the TCN would not compromise the national grid to satisfy the Gencos, saying their allegations against the company is baseless and mischevious.
She explained further: “NCC operates strictly in line with the grid code and merit order. Stability of the national grid is paramount. Unfortunately many Gencos due to greed, destabilise the grid through illegal practices in order to collect more money from NBET.
“They do so through false capacity declarations, unwillingness to put their generators on effective frequency response, delay in executing NCC dispatch instructions, intimidation and blackmail of NCC operatives. The allegation of rudeness and ‘military method’ by NCC staff is wholly unfounded and baseless as NCC operators are trained in communication skills”, Mbah stressed.
Accusing the Gencos of sundry attempts to destabilise the grid, she noted that the “practice by Genco operators insisting to get clearance from their managing directors while the national grid is at the brink of collapsing is highly irresponsible, unpatriotic and a gross violation of the grid code.”
Latest reports indicated that the TCN had completed and energised new transformers in Jos, Plateau State and Abeokuta, Ogun State, in line with its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP).
The company stated that initiative was anchored on the government’s policy on incremental power and that Dan Agundi 60MVA by 132/33kV power transformer in Kano State, which got burnt in December 2017 and had been repaired and energised.
