The Nigerian Power Grid and Impediments to Power Revolution in Nigeria

Electricity availability and adequate and efficient supply mechanisms are a huge driving force for a nation's economy and growth. Energy in all its forms (especially electricity) provide the bedrock through which a nation's industrial and technological advancement takes off and is sustained as processes depend on energy availability and utilization to ensure efficient delivery. The power sector reforms in Nigeria was done to reposition the power sector for increased productivity, but Nigerian power issues, vis-à-vis epileptic supply of electric power still persists. This study takes a look into the impediments to power revolution in the country with emphasis on the nation's power grid. It is seen that impediments like low generation capacities, insufficient transmission and distribution network, lack of adequate gas supply for gas-powered generating plants, insufficient investments in other forms of electricity generation like renewable energy, and improper government regulation still hinder reducing the huge gap between the electrical power needs of the population and the actual power generated and distributed. Recommendations are thereby made for further investigations to check restrictions to power generation and losses along the power transmission and distribution chain as well as improved generation and distribution from other energy sources in the country. Improvements in the transmission and distribution network systems to accommodate more power input is also advised.