The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has alleged that many power generation companies (Gencos) in the country are not providing correct information about the capacities of their plants, thereby making room for fraudulent financial claims on capacity charges.
The company’s disclosure was in response to Gencos’ allegation that it was undermining their efforts, through its management of the grid code, to load more power to the national grid.
The General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, accused the Gencos of engaging in fraudulent filing of their capacities to its National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, and that in most cases, the national load demand was higher than the generation capacities of the Gencos.
She claimed: “The average dispatch for the power plants for April is about 78 per cent of actual available generation capacity which is much higher than the figure of less than 50 being claimed by the Gencos.
“A large number of power plants submit fraudulent generation capacities and not able to deliver when asked to do so by NCC. This is done in order for them to get paid for capacities they do not actually have.
“In many instances, the national demand during peak periods is far higher than actual available generation capacities of Gencos despite the fabulous capacities they declare,” Mbah added.
She pointed out that the TCN had not procured spinning reserves as stated by the grid code because most power plants have not satisfactorily placed their units on frequency response as required by grid code.
According to her, TCN can only dispatch what the distribution companies and eligible customers are willing to take, adding that this accounts for why load rejection by Discos, especially during rainstorms, is such a big problem that must be solved expeditiously.
Mbah restated the company’s position not to compromise the national grid to satisfy the Gencos, saying their allegations against the company is baseless and mischevious.
She explained: “NCC operates strictly in line with the grid code and merit order. Stability of the national grid is paramount. Unfortunately many Gencos due to greed, destabilise the grid through illegal practices in order to collect more money from NBET.
“They do so through false capacity declarations, unwillingness to put their generators on effective frequency response, delay in executing NCC dispatch instructions, intimidation and blackmail of NCC operatives. The allegation of rudeness and ‘military method’ by NCC staff is wholly unfounded and baseless as NCC operators are trained in communication skills”, Mbah added.
While accusing the Gencos of sundry attempts to destabilise the grid, she pointed out that the “practice by Genco operators insisting to get clearance from their managing directors while the national grid is at the brink of collapsing is highly irresponsible, unpatriotic and a gross violation of the grid code.”
Latest reports from the TCN showed that the company had completed and energised three new transformers in Jos, Plateau State, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Kano, Kano State in line with its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP).
The company stated that initiative was anchored on the government’s policy on incremental power.