Power Play Or Misinformation? TCN Rebuts PHEDC, Declares 8,700MW Grid Capacity
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
In Nigeria’s fragile power sector, where every megawatt counts, accuracy is not just technical, it is critical to public trust and policy direction.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has firmly rejected claims by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) that its transmission wheeling capacity stands at 7,300 megawatts (MW), with operational output between 4,000MW and 5,000MW.
In a statement issued on April 3, 2026, TCN described the figures as “inaccurate and outdated,” insisting that its verified transmission capacity has increased to 8,700MW following sustained infrastructure investments.
The agency explained that power delivery on the national grid is not determined by transmission capacity alone, but by a coordinated process involving generation companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos), and TCN itself.
It questioned whether DisCos, including PHEDC, actually nominate electricity loads beyond 4,000MW to 5,000MW daily.
According to TCN, the 8,700MW capacity figure was initially derived from system simulations conducted by the Nigerian Independent System Operator when it operated within TCN, and has since been strengthened through upgrades such as transformer installations, new substations, and transmission line reconductoring.
To counter PHEDC’s claims on operational limits, TCN pointed to recent milestones in the power sector.
It noted that in the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria recorded peak generation figures of 5,801.84MW, 5,713.60MW, and 5,543.20MW on March 4, March 2, and February 14 respectively, all of which were successfully transmitted across the grid.
“These records are publicly verifiable and clearly contradict the assertion that TCN can only wheel between 4,000MW and 5,000MW,” the statement emphasised.
While acknowledging the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s electricity value chain, from gas supply to end users, TCN warned that misinformation, whether deliberate or not, could erode confidence, distort sector progress, and mislead investors and policymakers.
The company urged stakeholders to verify data before public dissemination, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and continued expansion of the national grid.
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