- APGC calls on NERC to reintroduce the spinning reserve.
- The last spinning reserve that was called to the grid was in 2015.
The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reinstate a spinning reserve that could be used to save the grid from collapse. In a statement by the Executive Secretary, APGC, Dr Joy Ogaji, the grid disturbances are due to the difference between power generation and load demand, causing the grid frequency to rise above 50 hertz (Hz).
According to a report by DailyTrust, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had applied in 2020 that NERC add about 200MW spinning reserve procurement to the transmission tariff as ancillary service. However, NERC, considering outcries on tariff hike, is yet to make the addition. The last time a spinning reserve was called to the grid was in 2015 when the system used to have multiple collapses. However, collapses had reduced since 2020, with four then and two occurring last year.
“Operating Reserve is an ancillary service. This ancillary service shall be considered mandatory. The system operator shall contract for Operating Reserve to enable it to always operate the transmission system securely,” APGC cited the Grid Code. Without the spinning reserve, APGC said the GenCos have to adjust their voltage rating, thereby affecting their turbines and putting many in maintenance mode.