An Abuja-based engineer and electricity consultant, Dike Ejike, has recommended the Geometric Power Model of electricity development to tackle such issues as constant national grid collapse.

The national grid collapsed yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, February 12), the second this year and the 14th in the last 12 months, though no reason has been given officially for the failure.

Engr Ejike said in a statement in the Federal Capital Territory that communities, businesses, voluntary organizations, and households in the Aba Ringfence covering nine of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) in Abia State was minimally affected by the grid failure because the ringfence generates and distributes its own electricity.

"The Geometric Power Group", he explained, "is Nigeria's foremost integrated electricity organization because it is autonomous whereas other power companies in the country are mostly generating ones known as GenCos or distributing companies called DisCos.

"Geometric Power has a GenCo component and an embedded DisCo known as Aba Power, Nigeria's 12th DisCo.

"That's why it wasn't much affected by the latest power collapse".

The consultant stated that immediately the collapse occurred, the Geometric Power plant started a 47MW turbine to replace the 25MW it still receives from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) because of the initial difficulties it was having with full gas supplies from the Oil Mining Licence (OML) 17 in Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.

According to Engr Ejike, the first lesson from the Geometric Power experience in handling national grid collapse is the need to have generation companies and substations that can operate independently.

He, therefore, advocated the building of small hydropower stations and solar power plants, including from abandoned dams across the country.

"Another lesson", Ejike said, "is the need to have a second national grid.

"There is no compelling reason for a nation of over 200m to have only one grid which is unfortunately old, poorly managed and fragile".

The consultant also lauded the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, for proposing to split various DisCos because of the large swathes of territories they cover.

"One reason that Aba Power has over its peers is the manageable area it services", he added.

"Experience has shown that the smaller the coverage area, the better'.

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