TCN Disputes IKEDC’s Explanation for Band A Power Outages

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disputed Ikeja Electric Distribution Company’s (IKEDC) explanation for recent outages affecting some Band A feeders, insisting that reduced electricity generation, rather than grid instability, was responsible for the disruptions.

IKEDC had attributed several outages recorded on November 3 and 4 to grid instability, holding TCN responsible for the interruptions in a public notice issued on November 5.

However, TCN described the attribution as inaccurate and misleading, urging the distribution company to rely on verified information from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) when explaining supply disruptions to customers.

In a statement issued by its management, the transmission company said NISO had already explained that the decline in power generation resulted from gas supply constraints affecting thermal power stations and reduced output from hydroelectric plants due to lower reservoir inflows.

The constraints reduced available generation, resulting in lower energy allocations to distribution companies, fewer hours of electricity supply and increased load shedding across their networks.

TCN maintained that the situation did not indicate any failure of its transmission network, arguing that it could only transmit electricity made available to it by generating companies.

It also cited Section 67 of the Electricity Act 2023, which assigns NISO responsibility for determining the root causes of disturbances, shortfalls and interruptions on the national grid.

According to TCN, IKEDC and other electricity market participants lack the authority to independently determine such causes, adding that NISO had not attributed the outages listed in the distribution company’s notice to any failure by the transmission company.

To support its position, TCN presented operational records showing that 68 per cent of interruptions recorded across feeders supplying IKEDC on November 1 and 2 resulted from frequency-control load shedding caused by low electricity generation.

Another 26 per cent, it said, arose from IKEDC’s failure to comply with load allocations issued by NISO’s National Control Centre, as well as faults and maintenance works on its own network.

The remaining six per cent resulted from TCN’s planned maintenance, switching operations or line limitations. It stressed that none of the recorded interruptions was caused by equipment failure or a trip on its transmission network.

TCN also examined the 46 interruptions recorded on the 33kV feeders listed in IKEDC’s notice, saying 29 resulted from frequency-control load shedding arising from low generation.

It attributed 14 others to the distribution company, comprising nine cases of non-compliance with allocated load and five incidents involving faults or trips on its network.

The remaining three interruptions, according to TCN, resulted from scheduled maintenance on the Ogba-Alimosho transmission line on November 1.

The company further cited the Rack Centre feeder, which was interrupted on November 2 by a cable fault on IKEDC’s network. It said the distribution company’s technical crew subsequently repaired the fault.

TCN added that IKEDC’s own notice had attributed faults affecting some feeders, including MTN, Iju Water Works and Rack Centre, to its network under the designation ‘IE’.

The transmission company warned that blaming supply shortfalls caused by generation constraints on transmission failures could mislead electricity consumers, undermine public confidence and divert attention from the actual challenges confronting the power sector.

It urged IKEDC and other distribution companies to desist from making unverified claims about the causes of electricity supply interruptions and ensure that their public communications reflected information provided by NISO.

TCN also advised electricity consumers to consult NISO’s official platforms for accurate information on developments within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

While expressing sympathy for customers affected by the reduced hours of electricity supply, the company reaffirmed its commitment to transmitting all available energy safely, reliably and efficiently within prevailing operational constraints.

It said it would continue working with NISO, generation companies and distribution companies to improve electricity supply across the country.