By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and the Canadian High Commission have commenced discussions on a strategic partnership to modernise Nigeria’s electricity sector through technology transfer, capacity development, renewable energy integration and investment in critical power infrastructure.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, David Sproule, and his delegation to the NISO headquarters in Abuja, where they were received by the Managing Director/Chief
Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, alongside members of the NISO management team.
Speaking during the engagement, Mohammed described the visit as a significant step towards deepening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada, particularly in technical cooperation, innovation, trade and sustainable energy development.
He said NISO, established under the Electricity Act 2023, is responsible for system operations, market operations and system planning, as well as administering and enforcing the Nigerian Electricity Market Rules, Grid Code, Metering Code and other directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The NISO boss said the organisation was driving the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity market through digital technologies, including the implementation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS), advanced electricity market trading platforms, telemetry and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
According to him, NISO also plays a critical role in planning and evaluating national grid expansion projects, identifying priority investments, integrating renewable energy into the national grid and promoting private-sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
He listed capacity development, technical exchange programmes, renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems, digital grid technologies, research, innovation and investment as key areas for potential collaboration between NISO and Canadian institutions and companies.
“As an emerging electricity market, we are keen to learn from Canada’s experience and leverage its expertise in modern electricity market operations, digital technologies and renewable energy integration,” Mohammed said.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to a sustained partnership capable of improving the reliability and stability of Nigeria’s national grid.
Responding, the Canadian High Commissioner, Sproule, congratulated NISO on its establishment, describing it as one of the significant reforms introduced into Nigeria’s electricity sector under the Electricity Act 2023.
He commended NISO’s strategic vision and assured that Canada was prepared to support Nigeria’s energy transition and power sector modernisation by deploying Canadian expertise in electricity system management, renewable energy integration, energy storage, cybersecurity and electricity market operations.
Sproule noted that Canadian companies have extensive experience operating complex electricity systems with high levels of renewable energy integration and remote grid management, capabilities which he said align with NISO’s vision of developing a modern and digitally enabled electricity market.
“Canada is keen to support Nigeria’s energy transition and power sector modernisation. We welcome the opportunity to connect NISO with Canadian technology providers and Independent System Operators as we work together to strengthen collaboration and explore mutually beneficial opportunities,” he said.
Both parties expressed optimism that the engagement would provide the foundation for sustained cooperation in technical capacity building, knowledge exchange, innovation and investment, with the ultimate goal of developing a more reliable, resilient and sustainable electricity supply industry in Nigeria.
