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Nigeria is moving to synchronise its national electricity grid with the broader West African power network, a development that the Minister of Power says will enhance regional electricity trade, reliability, and investment. The announcement was made during a recent energy sector briefing in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the synchronisation aims to create a stable and interconnected electricity market across West African countries, allowing power to flow efficiently from surplus to deficit regions. This could help reduce electricity costs, improve service reliability, and support industrial growth in the sub-region.
The West African Power Pool (WAPP), which coordinates cross-border electricity trade, is working closely with Nigeria and other member states to ensure technical and operational alignment. Experts say synchronisation requires significant infrastructure upgrades, improved grid stability, and harmonised market regulations.
Industry analysts note that regional grid integration can attract private investment in generation, transmission, and distribution projects. By pooling resources, West African countries could optimise energy production, reduce dependence on expensive fuel imports, and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
The Minister highlighted that Nigeria, as the largest electricity market in West Africa, will play a critical role in ensuring successful integration. Plans include modernising transmission networks, deploying smart grid technologies, and improving monitoring systems to support cross-border operations.
While technical and regulatory challenges remain, officials expressed confidence that the synchronisation project will be a game-changer for the West African electricity sector, creating a platform for long-term economic growth and regional energy security.
According to the Minister, the synchronisation aims to create a stable and interconnected electricity market across West African countries, allowing power to flow efficiently from surplus to deficit regions. This could help reduce electricity costs, improve service reliability, and support industrial growth in the sub-region.
The West African Power Pool (WAPP), which coordinates cross-border electricity trade, is working closely with Nigeria and other member states to ensure technical and operational alignment. Experts say synchronisation requires significant infrastructure upgrades, improved grid stability, and harmonised market regulations.
Industry analysts note that regional grid integration can attract private investment in generation, transmission, and distribution projects. By pooling resources, West African countries could optimise energy production, reduce dependence on expensive fuel imports, and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
The Minister highlighted that Nigeria, as the largest electricity market in West Africa, will play a critical role in ensuring successful integration. Plans include modernising transmission networks, deploying smart grid technologies, and improving monitoring systems to support cross-border operations.
While technical and regulatory challenges remain, officials expressed confidence that the synchronisation project will be a game-changer for the West African electricity sector, creating a platform for long-term economic growth and regional energy security.