A governor is a control system that regulates the speed or output of a turbine or generator in power generation. Its primary function is to maintain a stable speed or frequency.
Confused by the ongoing collapse of the national grid, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has issued an order requiring all electricity generation companies connected to the grid to implement Free Governor Control across their generating units.
The order, referenced NERC/2025/094, was signed on August 26, 2025, by the commissioner, legal, licensing & compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, and it will go into effect on September 1, 2025.
It was mandated that any GenCo that does not integrate and activate FGC on all generating units by November 30, 2025, will be subject to a penalty of a prorated 10% of the invoice associated with the defaulting generating unit.
Additionally, any generating unit that records 90 consecutive days of FGC non-compliance will be disconnected from the grid. 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 allows the generator to promote grid stability by automatically increasing or decreasing output to match demand and maintain frequency within acceptable bounds.
According to the commission, the action was required to compel stringent adherence to the Grid Code and stop recurring system disruptions.
The order, according to the commission, aims to create a systematic framework for improving the stability and dependability of Nigeria’s power grid’s power generation by enforcing rigorous adherence to operational frequency limits, putting in place clear monitoring procedures, and enforcing sanctions for Grid Code infractions.
While section 34(2)(b) of the Act gives it the authority to create or approve operating codes and standards to ensure safety, security, reliability, and quality in the production and delivery of electricity services in the NESI, NERC stated that it is required by section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023 to guarantee these aspects of service in the production and delivery of electricity to consumers.
The regulator reminded operators that all generating units must have a fast-acting governor system installed in order to comply with section 12.6.2 of the Grid Code. This system must be able to control turbine speed and modify output in the event of a frequency deviation.
“All generating units must have fast-acting FGC installed in accordance with Section 12.6.2 of the Grid Code for the Nigerian Electricity Transmission System. This FGC must be able to control turbine speed and modify power output in response to frequency deviation exigencies, also known as primary control.”
For both isolated and connected operation modes, the FGC must have enough damping. 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.
Additionally, in every operating scenario, the basic control features must be preserved. According to the directive, “a generating unit must be able to provide primary control to maintain frequency and voltage in situations where it becomes isolated from the system but is still available to supply demand.”
The regulator pointed to the GenCos for the eight grid disruption events that occurred on the national grid in 2024, resulting in three partial system failures and five complete system failures.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc’s incident reports, several generating businesses’ failure to comply with the Grid Code’s requirements was one of the contributing factors. According to the NERC’s 2024 performance review of grid-connected GenCo operations, there was a major failure with the FGC activation.
To improve power generation reliability and grid operations stability, the order mandates that FGC be deployed and activated in all generating units. Additionally, it ensures that GenCos comply with sections 12.6.2 and 15.8.3 of the Grid Code for the Nigerian Electricity Transmission System on FGC.
Along with creating sanctions for non-compliance, it also aims to encourage rigorous adherence to FGC regulations in order to reduce the possibility of system disruptions and create stable grid operations. The commission mandated that by November 30, 2025, all grid-connected GenCos install a fast-acting FGC in every generating unit and have the FGC operational at all times.
“GenCos must always turn on and run the FGC instantly, without any delays.” For every producing unit, GenCos must purchase and provide a Grade Level 5 metering system with Internet of Things-based monitoring capabilities. By October 31, 2025, they must notify the NISO when the system is ready for installation. At the very least, the meters must be able to measure frequency, generator terminal voltage, power factor, active power, and reactive power.
After each GenCo notifies the Nigerian Independent System Operator that it is ready for meter installation, the NISO has 20 days to install and integrate all IoT metering systems that the GenCos have given. The operationalisation of FGC mode in generating units will be closely monitored and strictly enforced by NISO. Real-time data from the Grade Level 5 IoT meters will be used to accomplish this, guaranteeing precise tracking, validation, and evaluation of the generating units’ performance.
“NISO will keep an eye on FGC operations across all generating units in real time and document hourly compliance reports.” To aid in regulatory supervision, NISO will gather and submit monthly reports to the commission on the state of adherence to the Grid Code’s FGC rules, the order stated in part.
“Any GenCo that fails to comply with the provisions of sections 12.6.2 and 15.8.3 of the Grid Code on the integration and activation of FGC on all generating units by 30 November 2025 shall be liable to a penalty of a prorated 10% of the invoice associated with the defaulting generating unit for the duration during which it was not operated with its FGC activated, that is, FGC non-compliant,” the regulator stated when describing the consequences for non-compliance.
When a generating unit exhibits FGC non-compliance for 90 days in a row, the unit will be disconnected from the grid. Reconnection is only permitted following NISO’s certification that the unit satisfies all Grid Code standards.
“NISO will be in charge of identifying non-compliance by defaulting GenCos and applying fines on the impacted GenCo’s invoice and settlement. In compliance with Market Rules Rules 28 and 29, NISO will be in charge of billing, processing payments, and resolving disputes for this penalty. As part of the monthly market settlement, NISO will bill GenCos that are in default the designated penalty amount. The order said that the Ancillary Service Account will receive the proceeds of the penalty.
