Baffled by the incessant collapse of the national grid, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has issued an order mandating all electricity generation companies connected to the grid to implement Free Governor Control across their generating units, warning that non-compliance would attract heavy penalties, including disconnection from the grid.
The order, referenced NERC/2025/094 and signed on August 26, 2025, by the commission’s Vice-Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, and the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, will take effect on September 1, 2025.
In power generation, a governor is a control system that regulates the speed or output of a turbine or generator. Its primary function is to maintain a stable speed or frequency.
Free Governor Control is a mode of operation in power generation where the governor of a turbine or generator is allowed to freely adjust the output in response to changes in grid frequency. This control mode enables the generator to contribute to grid stability by automatically increasing or decreasing output to match demand and maintain frequency within acceptable limits.
It was ordered that any GenCo that fails to comply with the integration and activation of FGC on all generating units by November 30, 2025, shall be liable to a penalty of a prorated 10 per cent of the invoice associated with the defaulting generating unit, and any generating unit that records 90 consecutive days of FGC non-compliance shall be disconnected from the grid.
The commission said the measure was necessary to stem repeated system disturbances and enforce strict compliance with the Grid Code. According to the commission, the order seeks to establish a structured framework for enhancing power generation reliability and stability of Nigeria’s power grid by ensuring strict compliance with operational frequency limits, implementing transparent monitoring mechanisms, and penalties for violations of the Grid Code.
NERC said it is mandated by section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023 to ensure the safety, security, reliability, and quality of service in the production and delivery of electricity to consumers, while section 34(2)(b) of the Act empowers it to establish or approve operating codes and standards to ensure safety, security, reliability, and quality in the production and delivery of electricity services in the NESI.
The regulator reminded operators that section 12.6.2 of the Grid Code requires every generating unit to be fitted with a fast-acting governor system capable of regulating turbine speed and adjusting output when frequency deviates.
“Section 12.6.2 of the Grid Code for the Nigerian Electricity Transmission System requires all generating units to be fitted with fast-acting FGC that is capable of regulating turbine speed and adjusting power output based on frequency deviation exigencies, i.e., primary control.
“The FGC shall be sufficiently damped for both isolated and interconnected operation modes. The FGC and any other superimposed control loop (load control, gas turbine temperature limiting control, etc.) shall contribute to the primary control to maintain the unit within the generating unit’s capability limits.
“Furthermore, the primary control characteristics shall be maintained under all operational conditions. Where a generating unit becomes isolated from the system but is still available to supply demand, the generating unit must be able to provide primary control to maintain frequency and voltage,” the order stated.
