In a statement released on Thursday, TCN affirmed a gradual decline in available power generation into the grid due to constraints in gas supply to power generating companies, impacting the quantity of bulk power accessible for transmission to electricity distribution companies nationwide, The Punch reports.

Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the low power supply since December 2023, and distribution companies have clarified that they are not solely responsible, as they also receive limited allocations from generating companies.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company specifically pointed to a gas shortage as the cause of the problem.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, explained, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN hereby announces that there has been a gradual decrease in an available  generation into the grid due to gas constraints to the thermal generating companies, which has impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide.”

Mbah assured that TCN is actively collaborating with other stakeholders in the power sector to maintain grid stability.

She stated, “TCN is doing everything possible in collaboration with stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that it continues to keep the grid intact in spite of the current low power generated into the system. Consequent upon the current load on the grid, load distributed to the distribution load centres have also reduced, as TCN can only transmit what is generated.”

Emphasizing the commitment to improvement, Mbah pleaded for understanding, stating, the company “is committed to ensuring a gradual increase in electricity supply to load centers as gas improves to the power available thermal plants. “Please bear with us as we continue to work with the stakeholders in the value chain to ensure that supply through distribution companies to electricity consumers nationwide improves.”

The reported gas shortage has affected various gas-fired grids in the country, resulting in low allocations to electricity distribution companies.

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, made this announcement during the opening of a Ministerial Retreat organized by the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja.

Recognizing TCN as the weakest segment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), Chief Adelabu disclosed that TCN would be restructured into the Independent System Operator (ISO) and the Transmission Service Provider (TSP).

The restructuring aims to address the challenges faced by TCN and align with the evolving landscape of State Electricity Markets, potentially decentralizing the national grid into regional grids interconnected by a new higher voltage national or super-grid.

The minister emphasized the need for stakeholders and operators to renew their efforts to achieve the goals of the government’s reform initiatives, which aim to improve power supply and make electricity consistently available across the country.

Chief Adelabu expressed concern over the inefficiency in Nigeria’s electricity supply, highlighting the significant operating costs associated with the reliance on diesel- and petrol-powered generation capacity.

While addressing the retreat’s participants, the minister stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the retreat to address challenges in the electricity sector.

He also regretted the recent power grid collapse, assuring that immediate action was taken to restore functionality and that it was not due to strategic faults in the grid.

Under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, as a prelude to the strike, the aggrieved workers are scheduled to picket the Abuja national Headquatres of TCN Tuesday.

In a circular by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, titled “Call for Action”, to Senior Assistant General Secretaries and  Zonal Organising Secretaries dated August 15, 2022, the Union directed them to ensure total compliance.

Daily Trust had reported that about 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity are unutilised daily across the Generation Companies (GenCos) in Nigeria and could be exported.

Abdulaziz said Nigeria is expecting new generators to participate in the energy export for the 875 kilometres 330 kilovolts Northcore transmission line from Nigeria through Niger, Togo, Benin to Burkina Faso.

Abdulaziz said “The power we will be selling is the power that is not needed in Nigeria. These generators that are going to supply power to this transmission line are going to generate that power specifically for this project. So it is unutilised power. In addition, there are some communities that are under the line route, about 611 of them which will be getting power so that there won’t be just a transmission line passing without impact.  Nigeria has the greatest advantage among these countries because the electricity is going to be exported from Nigerian GenCos. So from that, the revenue is going to be enhanced and a lot of people will be employed in Nigeria.”

They all received their appointment letters on Monday.

Ndidi Mbah, TCN General Manager Public Affairs, made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the appointment letters signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, the four Executive Directors, whose appointment were for an initial term of four years include, Engr. Victor Adewumi – Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Maman J. Lawal – Executive Director, Independent System Operator, Mr. Ahmad Dutse – Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, and Barr Justin Dodo – Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services.