1. NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Presentation on the
Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards (NESIS)Regulations
(An Overview)
Engr. Tasiu Saad Gidari Wudil, FNSE, FNIEEE, SMIEEE AT
The Nigerian Society of Engineers 2018 Engineering Conference
Workshop on Harmonisation of Standards in West African
28th Nov 2018

2. PREAMBLE
Technical Regulations are necessary in the industry to ensure the reliability of supply, protection of life and equipment as mandated by the EPSR Act The Act (Section 99) has repealed Cap 256 LFN 1990, Electricity Act under which the S. I. 5:Electrical Installation Regulations and the S. I. 6:Electricity Supply Regulations were issued in 1996

3. INTRODUCTION
NERC is mandated by the EPSR Act, 2005 to ensure the quality, safety affordability and availability of electricity to all consumers. Section 32.2(b) also mandates the Commission to: establish or, as the case may be, approve appropriate operating codes and safety, security, reliability and quality standards; Section 98(1) of the Act states that “Any regulations, By-laws, or notices which immediately before the initial transfer date, were in force under the Electricity Act or the National Electric power Authority Act shall continue in force, mutatis mutandis, as if they have been made by the Commission under this Act and may be amended or repealed upon the issuance of regulations by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act”. The Presentation gives a brief overview of the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards (NESIS) Regulations.

4. SCOPE OF THE WORK FOR THE TWG
The Technical Working Group (TWG) was tasked to develop a legal instrument, enforceable by law, and administered by NERC in close collaboration with the entire industry, particularly the Distribution and Transmission segments but Generation was later added.
The TWG was expected to draw on documents previously used by the industry to develop a “live” document considering the evolving nature of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.
Documents consulted include:
The CAP106 LFN/E7
The Electric Power Sector Reform Act,
The Distribution, Grid, Health & Safety and Metering Codes,
Operational Manual (NEPA) - Distribution
Many other technical literature

5. Technical Working Group for the draft of the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards (NESIS)
Formation of the Technical Working Group (TWG)
Inauguration and First Technical Session (2012)
Subsequent five(5) Sessions
Sub-groupings of the Technical Working Group
Transmission Group - Led by Prof. Frank Okafor (Power Systems)
Distribution Group - Led by Engr. Cole Akinsola (LSEB)
User-Site Group - Led by Chief Etim James (LECAN)
Generation - Led by Prof. Kayode Denloye (Chem. Engg)
Working Document/Draft
Public Consultation and Public Hearing conducted by NERC (2014)
Final Document for Commission’s approval.

6. Representative Agency
REPRESENTATION
Representative Agency
Persons
The Nigerian Society of Engineers
2 Persons including Chairman
Fed Min. of Power
3 Persons including ex-DD (EIS)
NERC (+Secretariat of the TWG)
Five persons – 4 Engineers and a Lawyer
Distribution Companies
Enugu, Kaduna, Eko Discos
Generation Companies
Shiroro & Egbin Gencos
Transmission Company (TCN)
2 Persons
State Electrification Board
1 Person from LSEB
Standards Organisation of Nigeria
3 Persons including Director (Standards)
Universities
4 Persons (UNN, ATBU and UNILAG)
Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)
1 Person
Lawyers
Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
Technical Code Panels
Grid, Distribution & Metering Codes
Licensed Electrical Contractors Ass. Of Nigeria

7. SUPPORT BY THE COMMISSION
Adequate financing of the project
Timely release of funds
Moral support by the Chairman of the Commission, Commissioners & Staff
Moderate budget utilised on the project

8. WORK DONE SO FAR
Review and adoption of the draft Table of Contents-Completed During the First Session in Abuja
Review the components of the CAP 106, Act, Grid, Distribution and Metering Codes (and Similar)
Consider the segments COVERED/ NOT COVERED by CAP106/E7 in the Act and the Codes
Made references to Standards (IEC,IEEE, BSI, ASME, ASTM etc)
Final Draft Submitted to NERC on 23rd May, 2014
Public consultation in June 2014
Public Hearing on 2nd September, 2014
Final Approval by Commission possibly next week

9. Contents of the Draft NESIS
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Scope
Normative References
Definition of Terms & Abbreviations
General Provisions
Compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards
Qualification for Engineering Personnel
Inspection of Electrical Facilities
Documentation and Reporting Obligations
Penalty for Non-compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report
Amendments
Constitution of Panel
Leadership of Panel
Mode of Amendment
Derogation

10. NESIS Content Chapter 2 Transmission Substations
Overview
Civil Works
Electromechanical Works
Health, Safety and Environment
Chapter 3 Transmission Lines
Overhead Transmission Conductors
Insulator for Overhead Transmission Lines
Dielectric Strength of Overhead Transmission Lines
Supporting Structures
Regulations for Installation
Particulars of Installation for Side-by-side Use and at Adjacency to and Crossing with Other Objects
Protection against Lightning and Falling Trees
Underground Transmission Lines
Special Transmission Lines
SCADA Systems

11. NESIS Content Chapter 4 Injection Substations Installations
Civil Works
Electromechanical Works
Secondary Equipment
Health, Safety and Environment
Water Supply
Emergency and Standby Systems
Disposal of Pollutants
Switchyard Illumination
Electrical Hazards
Fire Fighting and Protection Equipment
Chapter 5 Distribution Network
Basic Specifications for Distribution Network
Overhead Distribution Lines
Service Drop Lines
Metering
Underground Distribution Lines
Special Distribution Lines
Chapter 6 Distribution Substations 
Basic Distribution Substation Components
LV Distribution (Feeder Pillar) Panels
Compact Transformer Substation
Pole Mounted Distribution Substation

12. NESIS Content Chapter 7: User’s Sites Electrical Installations
Indoor Installations
Outdoor Installations
Special Installations
Chapter 8: System Operation and Maintenance
Distribution System Operation
Distribution System Maintenance
Chapter 9: Classification of Equipment and Types of Tests
Power and Distribution Transformers
Continuity Test
Vector Group
Ratio Test
Magnetic Balance Test
D.C. Winding Resistance Check
Insulation Resistance Test
Circulating Current Test
Capacity Confirmation Test

13. NESIS Content
Chapter 9 Classification of Equipment and Types of Tests (Contd’d)
Magnetizing Current and Core Loss
Efficiency and Regulation Test
Temperature Rise
Transformer Oil Test
Dissolved Gas Analysis
Transformer Auxiliaries
Oil Surge Relay
Arcing Horn
Chapter 10: Inspection Checks and Preventive Maintenance
Transmission Installation
Distribution Installation
Consumer Installation

14. NESIS Content Chapter 11: Earthing Standards and Specifications
Definition
Introduction
Equipment Earthing
Maintenance of Earth Electrodes at Power Stations and Substations
Earthing in Residential Premises
Earthing in Commercial Premises
Earthing in Industrial Premises
Earthing in Construction Sites
Earthing in Mobile Sites
Stand–by Generator Installation
Steel Poles and Street Lighting Columns

15. NESIS Content Chapter 12: Generation Site Requirements
Site Approval; Documentation; General License; Geotechnical Investigations; Hydrology; Water Permit; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Plant Design (design consideration, governing system and plant lay out)
Fuel Handling (fuel source, stack emission, waste disposal and other environmental consideration); Technical Documentation
Civil design and works
Site preparation (earth works, access, property fencing, plant room/control room building/quarters, equipment plinth, drainage, cable trenches, gravelling)
Construction of on-shore power plant
Responsibilities of the Licensee or Contractor; Responsibilities of the Project Manager; Pre-Requisites For Commencement Of Construction; Pre-Construction Site Meeting; Environmental Health And Safety Induction; Site specific Health and Safety Plan; Record keeping
Construction of off-shore power plant (The construction of offshore power plant shall be in compliance with the provision of IEC for mobile and fixed offshore units)
Capacity/Performance testing (These shall be based on ASME PTC The test shall be supervised by the Commission)
Power Evacuation
Voltage Levels and Variations; Frequency Level and Variations; Technical Criteria for Plant and Apparatus at the Interconnection Point; Performance Requirements for Power Stations

16. Public Consultations
The Draft NESIS Regulation was made public for consultation in June 2014
Collection of comments closed in July
Five reviews (5) were received
Fifty three comments (53) recorded for deliberations during public hearing on 2nd September
Only 5 issues were referred to the Commission

17. Conclusions
EPSR Act provided for repeal or amendment of S.I.5 and S. I. 6
Enforcement had been with EIS department of the FMoP
Review of Regulations was conducted by NERC with stakeholders and public consultations and Hearings
NESIS Regulations will replace the S.I. 5 and S. I. 6 Regulations

18. Questions and Discussions

19. Website: www.nercng.org E-mail: info@nercng.org
THANK YOU
Adamawa Plaza, Plot 1099, First Avenue off Shehu Shagari way, CBD P.M.B. 136, Garki –Abuja
Website: