NERC Sets December 2025 Deadline for GenCos to Join National SCADA System

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a sweeping directive mandating that all grid-connected electricity generation companies (GenCos) must integrate fully with the country’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS) by December 31, 2025. Failure to comply will attract serious financial sanctions and could lead to disconnection from the national grid.

The new directive, titled “Order on the Mandatory Integration of Grid-Connected Generating Units into the New SCADA/EMS for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry”, was officially released in Abuja and is already in effect as of May 22, 2025. It was signed by NERC Chairman, Garba Sanusi, and Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni.

According to the commission, the order is a strategic move to enhance grid reliability, improve real-time data visibility, and boost the overall efficiency of Nigeria’s electricity supply system. It responds to persistent grid instabilities and nationwide blackouts that have plagued the country’s electricity sector, often linked to poor coordination between generation, transmission, and distribution stakeholders.

Why It Matters

At the heart of the issue is the lack of full integration of power generation facilities into the SCADA/EMS platform—a sophisticated real-time control system that acts as the central nervous system of any modern electricity grid. The SCADA/EMS platform enables live data monitoring, automated fault detection, remote diagnostics, and optimized load dispatch across the electricity network.

Unfortunately, many GenCos in Nigeria still operate without connecting their facilities to this critical infrastructure, limiting the ability of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (ISO) to track and respond swiftly to real-time grid conditions. The result has been repeated system collapses, frequency instability, and poor load distribution, which the new order now aims to correct.

Details of the New Order

The directive invokes specific provisions of the Nigerian Grid Code, particularly Sections 12.2 and 20.16, which require GenCos to provide real-time operational data and maintain seamless communication with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through the SCADA/EMS system.

According to NERC’s order, each GenCo must:

• Install SCADA-compliant Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) in all generating units.

• Ensure compatibility of their communication and data infrastructure with the TCN’s SCADA/EMS protocols.

• Transmit real-time data to the National Control Centre, including:

  • Active and Reactive Power

  • Frequency

  • Voltage

  • Circuit breaker status

  • Fault alarms

• Provide and maintain interface cabinets and necessary signal wiring for seamless integration.

NERC emphasized that the TCN’s ongoing SCADA/EMS and telecommunications project has reached an advanced stage, necessitating the immediate inclusion of GenCos to complete the system’s nationwide coverage.

Implications for the Sector

This directive signals a new era of regulatory enforcement aimed at improving the resilience and functionality of Nigeria’s national grid. By compelling power generators to align with international best practices in grid management, NERC is setting the stage for a more transparent and responsive electricity market.

Operators who fail to meet the integration deadline face potentially severe consequences, including hefty penalties and possible disconnection from the grid, which could threaten their commercial viability.

Energy sector analysts have praised the move, noting that a fully functional SCADA/EMS system is vital to reducing Nigeria’s grid collapse incidents and ensuring reliable power delivery to homes and industries.

Looking Ahead

With just over six months to comply, GenCos are expected to ramp up their integration efforts in coordination with the TCN and ISO. NERC has promised to monitor implementation progress closely and provide further guidance where necessary.

This initiative forms part of broader electricity sector reforms under the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which seeks to modernize the country’s power infrastructure, enhance regulatory oversight, and position Nigeria for a more stable and efficient energy future.