TCN, AfDB Validate Battery Storage Plan To Stabilise Grid

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), on Monday, began a two‑day validation workshop in Abuja to review a technical feasibility, policy and regulatory diagnostics study on the adoption and implementation of grid‑connected Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

The workshop is bringing together power sector regulators, operators and technical experts to ensure the study aligns with on‑the‑ground realities and to sharpen recommendations that could strengthen the reliability of Nigeria’s electricity grid.

Speaking at the opening session, TCN managing director and chief executive officer, Dr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, appealed to stakeholders to scrutinise the study’s findings and actively engage in the discussions.

General manager, Public Affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah, made this known on Tuesday morning.

Mbah stated that Abdulaziz, who was represented by the company’s general manager, Engineering, Mojeed Akintola, described the AfDB‑supported initiative as timely, noting that Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to achieve greater stability in electricity supply make the BESS project an important strategic measure.

“The stability and resilience of our grid require forward‑looking interventions,” Abdulaziz said. “We expect participants to provide candid, technical and policy‑level inputs so that the final report accurately reflects system needs and offers implementable solutions.”

The lead consultant for the project, Prof Tajudeen Humble Sikiru of the AfDB team, underscored the importance of a meticulous validation process. He urged participants to examine every detail in the policy and regulatory diagnostics, stressing that the workshop’s outcomes will help shape the direction of battery storage deployment across the country.

“Battery energy storage has the potential to address short‑term fluctuations, improve load management and support frequency regulation,” Prof. Sikiru said.

“This validation is critical — the quality of our recommendations will influence policy decisions and investment choices for years to come.”
Participants included senior officials and technical staff from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and other sector stakeholders. To facilitate focused assessment, attendees were split into three working groups, each assigned specific sections of the study for intensive review.
Over the first day, the working groups carried out detailed examinations of the study’s technical analyses, policy diagnostics and regulatory proposals. Sessions concentrated on identifying gaps, inconsistencies or assumptions that may not reflect Nigeria’s operating environment. Contributors also suggested practical revisions, additional data needs and implementation pathways designed to enhance grid performance and attract viable financing.
Discussions drew on participants’ diverse expertise across generation, transmission, distribution and regulation. Several delegates highlighted the need for clearer market frameworks to incentivise storage investments, stronger coordination between system operators and distribution companies, and robust standards for BESS procurement, testing and safety. Others flagged the importance of integrating storage solutions with renewable energy projects and of ensuring tariff and market mechanisms that recognise the services storage can provide, such as frequency response and peak shaving.
TCN officials emphasised that BESS should be viewed as part of a broader set of grid modernisation measures, including investments in system monitoring, protection upgrades and strengthened operational protocols. AfDB representatives reiterated their commitment to supporting member countries in deploying storage technologies where they can deliver measurable improvements in system stability and efficiency.
The validation exercise continues on the second day, during which the working groups are expected to refine their input and present consolidated observations and recommendations at a plenary session. Organisers said the validated study will form the basis for subsequent policy reforms, technical pilot projects and financing discussions aimed at accelerating grid‑connected BESS adoption in Nigeria.