POST-PRIVATIZATION STATUS OF NIGERIA’S ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY OF AKURE 33kV DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Abstract

This research presents a study on the operating status of Akure 33kV distribution network system. The study aimed at evaluating the impact of the Electric Power Sector Reform Programme on the performance of Akure 33kV Distribution network, and by extension, the Nigeria’s Electric Power Systems. Past researchers only identified the challenges, ways of overcoming such challenges and the opportunities derivable from the reform programme but not its impact on the existing network. A method of assessing the impact of the reform programme on Nigeria’s Electric power system has been implemented using Akure 33kV distribution network as a case study. An analysis on the quantity of energy served in the network was done using data before and after privatization, Power flow study was also carried out to ascertain the steady-state operating status of the network before and during privatization. The availability rate of the network was also used as a basis for the comparism. The research results indicate that despite an increment of 3.7% in total energy supplied by the National Control Centre over the period under study, the energy served by the distribution network decreased by 9% from 2010 to 2015. The network’s availability value decreased by 1% from year 2010 to 2015, while the System’s Average Interruption duration index increased by 7.6% from 2010 to 2015. The network’s failure rate increased by 8% from 2010 to 2015. The results obtained show that the network’s status was better between 2010 and 2012 than it is between 2013 and 2015.