By Anayo Korie / Ag Energy Editor
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has conducted public hearing on the draft of Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installations Standards (NESIS) which is part of its mandate to ensure effective technical regulation that guides distribution and consumption of electricity in the country .
The Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi who spoke at the event in Abuja recently said the purpose of developing the NESIS is to review, replace obsolete regulations due to advancement in technology and the restructured power sector which is in line with Section 98(1) of the EPSR Act, 2005.
Amadi explained that decision was necessary because it was clear that the CAP 106 regulations have outlived their useful lives, therefore not in tune with current standards and present power system arrangement in the country ., “The document which shall guide the operations of the power sector as well as replace the CAP 106 regulations is based on international and local standards.”He added.
According to him, the NESIS regulations have covered all aspects of engineering practices as it concerns Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Utilisation of electric power in Nigeria.
He explained that the NESIS was drawn from various Codes and Standards available in the NESI and several International Standards, adding that it was a living document hence would undergo routine reviews to update future development in technology and practices. He noted however, that there was no gap whatsoever in technical regulation in the NESI as being alleged, saying that the Commission has put in place several regulatory instruments to address technical and safety issues arising from across the electricity supply chain in generation, transmission, distribution and utilization.
Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner, Engineering, Standards and Safety Division, NERC, Engr. Mary Awolokun said the NESIS was part of an evolving technical document which had once existed as the
Electricity Supply and Wiring Regulations CAP 57 of 1958.She commended the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the enormous work towards the development of the final draft of the NESIS regulations.
Source : Independent
