The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is a highly regulated industry with different operators providing services targeted at delivering safe and reliable electricity to the various categories of consumers. To ensure that the industry functions efficiently, there are several legal and regulatory instruments which create service level obligations on the operators under the regulatory purview of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). One of these regulatory frameworks is the Grid Code which is an instrument that contains the day to day operating procedures and principles governing the development, operations and maintenance of an effective and well coordinated and economic transmission system.

Considering the criticality of the Grid Code in the efficiency of the grid system, there is provision for regular review and amendment of the Code to align it with changing and emerging circumstances in order to improve its efficacy in guiding all users of the electric power grid. The Grid Code Review Panel (GCRP) is empowered to drive the review and amendment processes. Section 3.1.1 of the Grid Code provides that “A Grid Code Review Panel shall be formed pursuant to Rule 42 of the Market Rules. This Panel shall be in charge of the Grid Code review and amendment.”

The functions of the GCRP include among others the following: a. Keep the Grid Code and its working under review b. Review all amendments to the Grid Code, which NERC or any User or TCN may wish to submit for consideration by the Panel from time to time. c. Publish recommendations as to amendments to the Grid Code that TCN or the Panel feels are necessary or desirable and the reasons for the recommendations; d. Issue guidance in relation to the Grid Code and its implementation, performance and interpretation when asked to do so by the User; e. Consider what changes are necessary to the Grid Code arising out of any unforeseen circumstances referred to it by TCN; f. Consider and identify changes to the Grid Code to remove unnecessary sections or clauses that are irrelevant to the effective operation of the Nigeria Power System.

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Membership of the GCRP is statutorily drawn as enshrined in the Grid Code to represent different stakeholder groups including NERC, Gencos, Discos, TCN as well as the oil and gas sector. Following the deregulation of the NESI, the GCRP was first launched by NERC in 2007 with 13 members to undertake the functions mentioned above. Since then, several panels have been constituted and have made useful resolutions and amendments to the Grid Code resulting in two successive versions; the current one being GC Version 03.

In pursuance of its mandate, the current GCRP convened on 8th July, 2021in Keffi Nasarawa State at its 21st meeting under the Chairmanship of Engr. Mamman Lawal, Executive Director, Independent System Operations, TCN. Engr. Lawal reminded members of their role in GCRP stressing the purpose of the Grid Code which he said is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the grid by ensuring that users do not compromise the minimum standard required for efficient, reliable and sustainable operations of the grid. He said that in order to effectively conduct the business of the meeting, the Panel would work under three sub-committees, viz: Distribution, Transmission and Generation sub-committees to ensure that adequate attention was given to issues bordering on the varied facets of the sector with a view to proffering specific solutions.

Speaking in the same vein during an interview, the Secretary and member of GCRP Engr. Kabir Adamu maintained that the Panel was to constantly look at how the Code was being implemented and to identify challenges arising therefrom with a view to finding solutions to those challenges so as to achieve stability and reliability of the grid.