The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched an Advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system aimed at enhancing the management of the national power grid.
During the unveiling ceremony held in Abuja, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Acting Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nosike, emphasized the transformative potential of this technology.
He stated, "This initiative represents not just a technological upgrade; it also symbolizes our government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of power supply across the nation."
The SCADA system will facilitate real-time monitoring and control of the national grid, allowing operators to swiftly detect faults, manage loads more effectively, and respond promptly to outages.
Adelabu remarked, "We are ushering in a new era in the management and operation of the national grid," highlighting that this advanced technology is a crucial step towards overcoming existing challenges in the power sector.
This development is part of a broader strategy under the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Access Project (NETAP), which aims to modernize the country’s power infrastructure and implement smart grid technologies.
Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), acknowledged previous shortcomings in SCADA implementations but expressed optimism about learning from past experiences.
He noted that a specialized team has been established to ensure that this new deployment avoids previous pitfalls.
The SCADA system has already been integrated into critical infrastructure, including the Lagos Transmission Substation in Apapa.
Abdulaziz reported significant progress in project implementation, including the deployment of over 3,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables and installation of SCADA equipment in more than 100 substations nationwide.
