By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, says the synchronisation of the national grid to West Africa power pool will ensure stability, reliable power to homes and industries.

Adelabu made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the success of the just concluded grid synchronisation test connecting the national electricity grid with the interconnected West African Power Pool (WAPP) system.

Synchronisation in a power system is the process of matching the electrical parameters of a generator to those of the grid or another generator before connecting them.

This includes matching the voltage, frequency, and phase angle.

It is crucial to prevent damage and ensure the stable and efficient delivery of power, as connecting two systems that are out of sync can cause disturbances, large short-circuit currents, or even blackouts.

According to the minister, the significance of this development cannot be overstated as integrating the national grid into the broader regional system places Nigeria at the centre of a modern operating environment.

“Where electricity networks no longer function in isolation but as interdependent components of a shared regional framework.’’

Adelabu also said that the benefits of synchronisation with other WAPP countries would extend directly to the Nigerian people a more stable grid.

He said that the development would also improve the performance of essential services such as hospitals, water supply, transport systems, digital infrastructure, and public institutions.

“Once permanent synchronisation is achieved, Nigeria will operate under a stronger, more resilient system, benefiting from cross-border support that enhances grid stability.

“This will also reduce the risk of system disturbances, and improve the overall reliability of electricity supply.

“By becoming part of a larger synchronous area, Nigeria will be able to rely on regional support during periods of supply shortfall, while also strengthening neighbouring networks when required.

“This form of mutual support is a defining feature of advanced power systems globally and is essential for long-term regional energy security,’’ he said.

Adelabu said that the impact of the synchronisation was already evident in several critical areas as it strengthens confidence in the Nigeria’s power system.

He said that for so many years, factors such as gas shortages, infrastructure constraints, vandalism, and occasional system disturbances had adversely affected grid stability.

“The successful synchronisation test shows that in spite these challenges, Nigeria has the technical competence, engineering capacity, and institutional discipline required to operate at global standards.

“It positions the country as a credible partner for cross-border energy exchange and a reliable participant in the West African Electricity Market, ‘’ he said.

The minister added that the development would create opportunities for Nigeria to earn foreign exchange, optimise generation resources, and attract increased private investment.

According to him, Independent power producers are more willing to invest where stable, regional markets exist beyond the constraints of a single domestic buyer.

“While expectations must remain realistic, this achievement provides the structural foundation for the improvements Nigerians have long awaited, ‘’ he said.

The minister, however, said that domestic demand for electricity would not suffer due to the development, adding that export of power would be after all necessary request internally had been met.

“There is also limitation to what our infrastructure can support in terms of export, the maximum we have today is 600 megawatts and we are only doing about 360 megawatts except later we tend to expand this’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Independent System Operator, in collaboration with WAPP Information and Coordination Centre, successfully carried out a synchronisation test.

The test was conducted between the Nigerian power grid and other West African region power grid on Nov.8 between 5.04 a.m. and 9:04.a.m. (NAN)