The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued an order requiring all privately owned transmission substations connected to the national grid to register and obtain permits, effective March 9, 2026.
The directive, titled Order on the Registration and Authorisation of Grid-Connected Private Transmission Substations (NERC/2026/013), mandates that bulk electricity consumers operating private substations secure an Independent Electricity Transmission Network Operator (IETNO) permit before connecting to or operating on the grid.
NERC said the measure aims to improve grid reliability, safety, and oversight, following frequent transmission line trips reported by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
Under the order:
NISO must provide NERC with a list of all existing private transmission substation owners within five days and notify them of the order.
Existing owners have 45 days to apply for an IETNO permit.
New operators must obtain the permit before grid connection; noncompliance may attract sanctions.
NISO will install IoT-based metering systems at substation interconnection points within 120 days.
Operators are required to submit monthly operational reports, and NISO will conduct inspections to ensure compliance.
NERC said the order will strengthen grid stability, enforce regulatory compliance, and ensure adherence to the Grid Code in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
