By Oke Peter
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has strongly rejected claims made by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) regarding the country’s electricity transmission capacity, describing the figures as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on April 3, 2026, by the General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN clarified that its verified transmission wheeling capacity stands at 8,700 megawatts (MW), significantly higher than the 7,300MW cited by PHEDC in a social media post.
The Company emphasized that the lower figure is outdated and does not reflect recent infrastructure upgrades.
TCN explained that electricity supply on Nigeria’s national grid depends on a coordinated process involving power generation companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos), and transmission capacity declarations. It questioned whether DisCos, including PHEDC, consistently nominate power beyond the 4,000–5,000MW range they referenced.
To support its position, TCN highlighted recent performance milestones in the power sector. In the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria recorded multiple peak generation levels exceeding 5,500MW, all of which were successfully transmitted across the grid. These include a record 5,801.84MW peak on March 4, 2025, alongside other high outputs on March 2 and February 14.
According to TCN, these achievements directly contradict claims that its operational capacity is limited to between 4,000MW and 5,000MW.
The Company also stressed that its improved capacity is the result of sustained investments in infrastructure, including transformer installations, substation upgrades, and transmission line enhancements.
Calling for greater responsibility in sector communication, TCN warned that inaccurate information could erode public trust and negatively impact investment and policy decisions. It urged stakeholders to verify data before making public statements.
TCN reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and continued development of Nigeria’s power grid.
