- NIMET, NASRDA, ASN Collaborate on Power Grid Improvement
Three research agencies of the Federal Government have expressed determination to collaborate in managing the effect of weather and climate on power grid systems in a bid to boosting the delivery of electricity across the country.
This is coming as the country’s power generation hovered around 4,000 megawatts in October and November, according to statistics obtained from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator and the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
The Chief Executive Officers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Mr. Anthony Anuforom; the National Space Research Development Agency, Prof. Seidu Mohammed; and the President of the Astronomical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Chidi Akujor, expressed their willingness to work together on power systems management, space science and technology development in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists at the 6th National Conference and Award of Fellows of the ASN, Anuforom stated that the synergy among the agencies would not only accelerate the nation’s space programme, but would benefit the power sector.
The NIMET boss, who received an award at the event, explained that many weather and climate activities in space affect human existence, satellite systems for weather observation, as well as power installations.
Anuforom said, “This is an emerging area of research where we believe that NIMET can collaborate with NASRDA and ASN in space science and technology, which can assist in power systems management. We need to key in as a country and as an agency, and working together as organisations, I believe we should be able to make contributions to national development in this regard.
“This is because some phenomena in the outer space do affect satellite telecommunications and the power grid systems. So, there is a need for research in these areas to better manage our nation’s infrastructure like telecommunications and power.”
In his remarks, Mohammed urged scientists from different agencies of the Federal Government to work as partners in order to find solutions to national challenges in the telecommunication, science and technology and power sectors.
On the country’s power generation, figures from the NESO showed that for most days in October, electricity generating plants were able to supply over 4,000MW of power.
Some of the highest generation figures during this period included 4,229MW, 4,289.6MW, 4,255MW and 4,310.7MW, which were generated on October 1, 13, 15, and 17, respectively.
Further analysis of statistics by the power agencies showed that electricity generation figures in November had been around 3,800MW, while the average daily losses in the sector had remained below N1.8bn during the months under review, in contrast to the N2.3bn that was lost on a daily basis by the industry about three months ago.
