Nigeria’s Transmission Capacity Jumps to 8,500 Megawatts

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the country can now transmit up to 8,500 megawatts of electricity to distribution companies (DisCos).

According to TCN’s Managing Director, Mr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, the company has successfully transmitted all power generated, including the historic 5,801MW recorded on Tuesday, the highest in Nigeria’s history.

He also dismissed claims that it has been unable to evacuate all the power generated by generation companies (GenCos).

“There have been misconceptions regarding our capacity. We want to make it clear that TCN has never failed to evacuate power from GENCOs. On Tuesday, we seamlessly transmitted 5,801MW, demonstrating our improved network strength.”

He further disclosed that TCN is currently upgrading its transmission infrastructure to handle 10,000MW by 2027, ensuring that as power generation increases, the transmission system will keep pace.

“Our grid is old, and upgrades are ongoing,” Mr Abdulaziz noted, adding that “By 2027, we aim to transmit at least 10,000MW, aligning with Nigeria’s growing energy needs.”

Addressing concerns about system failures, Mr Abdulaziz clarified that when transmission interruptions occur, it does not mean a total grid collapse but rather a system disturbance.

“A lot of misinformation is out there. We have only recorded one system disturbance this year, and we are working continuously to strengthen the grid,” he assured.

On his part, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, expressed delight over the achievement, attributing it to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades undertaken by the federal government in collaboration with key stakeholders.

“This milestone is a testament to our commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s power sector,” Mr Adelabu said. “The rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, as well as recent tariff reviews, have played a critical role in ensuring liquidity in the sector.”

He emphasized that the Federal Government’s strategic initiatives were beginning to yield tangible results, improving the stability and reliability of electricity supply nationwide.

According to Mr Adelabu, the regularization of tariffs is crucial in unlocking the sector’s full potential. “A well-structured tariff system will drive further investments, encourage efficiency, and ultimately enhance power generation and distribution across the country,” he added.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the momentum, ensuring that Nigeria continues to build on this progress towards achieving a more reliable and sustainable power supply.