Nigeria recorded its highest-ever power generation of 5,801.84 megawatts on 4 March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s electricity sector.
The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, made the announcement on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.
“…for the first time in our nation’s history, the power sector recorded a new and unprecedented peak generation of 5,801.84 megawatts of electricity on March 4, 2025, at 21:15 hours,” Abdulaziz stated.
He assured that TCN successfully evacuated the entire power generated, saying, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) efficiently evacuated this bulk power to distribution load centres nationwide.”
According to him, this milestone results from the hard work and dedication of engineers across the generation, transmission, and distribution segments of the power sector.
Background and Sector Developments
The federal government privatised all power generation and 11 distribution companies in November 2013, while TCN remained under government control to enhance efficiency.
Abdulaziz highlighted the numerous transmission projects completed in the last two years, alongside ongoing ones aimed at boosting power evacuation capacity.
He revealed that TCN currently has an evacuation capacity of 8,500 megawatts, with projections to evacuate 10,000 megawatts in less than two years.
Key Transmission Projects and Achievements
Speaking on TCN’s progress, Abdulaziz noted that 66 power transformers have been installed and commissioned.
“We have equally built new transmission substations and reconducted transmission line projects among others. Some of the projects were executed under the World Bank-sponsored programme, which aims to increase TCN’s capacity by 9,000 MVA,” he stated.
He said that projects amounting to 6,000 MVA had been completed and connected to the grid, including the Rimin Zakara substation in New Kano.
He also highlighted funding from international agencies to upgrade critical transmission infrastructure.
“Another donor agency project in TCN is the AFD-funded project, which has completed five transmission substations in Abuja, out of which two have been energised.
“The African Development Bank (AfDB) is also executing the Kano-Kaduna 330kV DC transmission line, including a 330kV substation in Zaria and a 132kV substation in Jaji, Kaduna State,” Abdulaziz added.
Additionally, the federal government’s Siemens-backed power project has supplied 10 mobile substations, with seven already installed.
“Another ten transformers of various ratings have also been installed in the transmission network and connected to the grid,” he said.
Federal Government’s Role in Power Expansion
The federal government’s power projects have significantly increased TCN’s transmission capacity.
“The federal government projects have added 1,350 megawatts to the grid. Our progress is also evident in the 76.47 per cent reduction in grid disturbances over the past five years,” Abdulaziz stated.
To enhance grid stability in the absence of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, TCN developed the Generation Load Drop Sensitivity (GLDS) system, which detects and responds to sudden drops in power generation to prevent cascading failures.
“All our substations have now been fully digitised and automated,” he added.
Improved Equipment Stock for Efficiency
To further strengthen power transmission, TCN restocked its central stores with essential equipment.
“We undertook the largest stockpile of transmission equipment in TCN’s history, including 22 power transformers and other accessories, most of which have been moved to project sites,” Abdulaziz disclosed.
He further listed equipment in TCN’s central store in Lagos, including: 6,150 MVA transformers, five units of 100 MVA transformers, 132kV isolators, 110V DC battery banks, haulage trucks, 132kV circuit breakers, current transformers, and voltage transformers
Abdulaziz expressed optimism that ongoing projects and investments would further strengthen the country’s electricity supply and enhance reliability for Nigerians.
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