Grid Output Tied to DisCos’ Demand, GenCos’ Supply, Says TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has clarified that daily power output on the national grid depends on request from electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), generation declarations from GenCos, and TCN’s wheeling capacity— with penalties for any party failing to meet their commitments

TCN’s general manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, stated this in a rejoinder responding to an April 2, 2026, social media post by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC). The post claimed TCN’s transmission capacity was 7,300MW, with operations limited to 4,000-5,000MW—figures TCN called “intentionally inaccurate” and outdated.

Her words: “First, it’s important to note that the daily output on the national grid is a function of what the DisCos nominate, what the GenCos declare they can generate, and what TCN declares it can wheel.

“There is a penalty against any of these three players if they fail to meet what they declared.”

“Do the DisCos nominate beyond 4,000-5,000MW?” Mbah asked, urging DisCos to verify claims before public posts that could mislead stakeholders.

Mbah explained that the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) balances daily declarations from all players ahead of time. TCN’s verified wheeling capacity now stands at 8,700MW, up from a simulated 7,300MW due to investments in transformers, substations, and transmission lines.

“Every day–ahead, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) looks at what each player declares and tries to strike a balance, which is what is then generated, transmitted, and distributed.”

“With ongoing projects, a new simulation would show even higher capacity,” she added.
To counter the operational limit claim, TCN cited Q1 2025 peaks it successfully transmitted:

March 4, 2025: 5,801.84MW peak at 49.69Hz, with 128,370.75MWh daily energy—Nigeria’s record high.
March 2, 2025: 5,713.60MW peak, 125,542.06MWh daily.
February 14, 2025: 5,543.20MW peak, 125,159.48MWh daily.
These milestones, publicly verifiable, she said demonstrated TCN’s ability to wheel beyond 5,000MW.

Continuing, Mbah said “The fact is that 8,700MW is the simulated capacity by the Independent System Operator (ISO) when it was still part of TCN. Through sustained, capital-intensive infrastructure investments, including transformer installations, substation construction, and transmission line reconductoring, among others, TCN has progressively expanded its wheeling capacity to a verified 8,700MW.

” This figure is a matter of public record and reflects TCN’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s grid infrastructure. 7,300MW cited by PHEDC is outdated and no longer representative of TCN’s current capacity. In fact, with several completed and ongoing projects since the last simulation, a new simulation would certainly show increased capacity.

“Operational Milestones Contradict the 4,000–5,000MW Claim
“Recent, verifiable sector-wide records directly contradict the assertion that TCN can only transmit between 4,000MW and 5,000MW operationally.

“The Nigerian power sector has, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, achieved three successive peak generation milestones, all of which were successfully transmitted by TCN:

“March 4, 2025: Peak generation of 5,801.84MW at 49.69Hz frequency, with a maximum daily energy dispatch of 128,370.75MWh — the highest peak generation and maximum daily energy ever attained in Nigeria’s power sector history.

” TCN successfully transmitted this entire output to Distribution Companies (DisCos) during peak hours.
“March 2, 2025: Peak generation of 5,713.60MW and maximum daily energy of 125,542.06MWh, efficiently transmitted by TCN to all distribution load centres.

“February 14, 2025: Peak generation of 5,543.20MW and maximum daily energy of 125,159.48MWh, also successfully wheeled to DisCos by TCN.

“These figures, independently documented and publicly verifiable, speak for themselves.

” A Call for Accuracy in Power Sector Communication TCN acknowledges that Nigeria’s electricity value chain from gas supply through generation, transmission, and distribution to end users is deeply interconnected, and that each stakeholder has a responsibility to communicate accurately about their role alone and where they need to communicate about others, must take steps to verify information before releasing to the public.

“Misinformation, however unintentional, undermines public trust, misrepresents sector progress, and may negatively influence policy conversations and investment decisions.
“TCN, therefore, calls on all stakeholders to verify information not domiciled with them before publication to ensure their communications accurately reflect the current state of grid infrastructure. TCN remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and the continued growth of Nigeria’s power sector.

Enquiries or requests for clarification on TCN’s current wheeling capacity, infrastructure data, or operational records may be directed to the TCN Public Affairs Division.”