TCN Achieves Historic Electricity Transmission Peak Amidst Vandalism Challenges
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared 2025 a “remarkable and historic year,” marked by an unprecedented surge in electricity transmission capacity, even as it grappled with a significant number of infrastructure vandalism incidents. The company’s leadership highlighted these achievements and ongoing challenges in their year-end review, underscoring both progress and the persistent threats to the nation’s power grid.
A Landmark Transmission Achievement
In a significant development for Nigeria’s electricity sector, TCN recorded an all-time peak electricity transmission of 5,801.84 megawatts on March 4, 2025. This historic milestone was further bolstered by a maximum daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours nationwide, representing the highest volume ever transmitted through Nigeria’s national grid.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, attributed this success to strategic investments in infrastructure upgrades, the expansion of transformer capacity, and the diligent maintenance of existing transmission assets. These efforts have demonstrably enhanced TCN’s ability to wheel electricity, with its overall capacity now standing at 8,700MW, better positioning the company to meet the nation’s escalating power demands.
Combating the Menace of Vandalism
Despite the celebrated transmission achievements, the year was also marred by a persistent threat to grid stability: infrastructure vandalism. Between January and November 2025, TCN recorded a concerning 131 incidents of vandalism across its extensive network. Abdulaziz expressed deep concern over this menace, emphasizing its detrimental impact on the reliability and security of the power supply.
TCN is actively collaborating with various entities to combat this issue. These include:
- The Office of the National Security Adviser
- National security agencies
- Local community vigilante groups
The company is also committed to ongoing public awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives designed to foster a greater sense of ownership and protection for critical national infrastructure.
Strategic Investments and Project Advancements
The company’s progress in 2025 was underpinned by substantial investments and the advancement of key projects. Between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN successfully commissioned 82 new power transformers. These additions have injected more than 8,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) into the national grid, significantly boosting its reliability and overall capacity.
Furthermore, TCN made considerable headway on several critical projects financed by development partners, collectively valued at over $1.16 billion. A notable example is the Abuja Feeding Scheme, which encompasses the construction of five new substations and a new 330kV transmission line. These initiatives are crucial for modernizing the grid, expanding its capabilities, and ensuring TCN can effectively support the energy needs of Nigeria’s growing economy. Some of these projects have already been completed, while others are currently in various stages of implementation.
Sector Reforms and Key Partnerships
The year 2025 also witnessed significant sector reforms that are poised to reshape Nigeria’s electricity landscape. Key among these were the unbundling of TCN and the successful launch of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO). These reforms are expected to enhance operational efficiency and market dynamics within the power sector.
Abdulaziz extended his gratitude to the TCN staff, describing them as the company’s “greatest asset” and commending their unwavering dedication and resilience throughout the year. He also expressed profound appreciation for the support received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, security agencies, development partners, and all sector stakeholders. The company also mourned the loss of staff members who passed away in 2025, extending condolences to their families.
Looking Towards 2026 and Beyond
As TCN sets its sights on 2026, the company’s strategic focus remains on further enhancing grid capacity, stability, and efficiency. This will involve deepening collaboration with NISO and other stakeholders to fortify Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
Abdulaziz outlined the key priorities for the coming year:
- Accelerating project implementation to bring new infrastructure online.
- Modernizing existing transmission infrastructure to improve performance.
- Ensuring prompt and effective maintenance of all assets.
- Deepening engagement with all stakeholders to foster a cohesive and effective power sector.
TCN’s ambition extends to becoming a global leader in electricity transmission. The company’s vision for 2026 and beyond involves relentless effort to build upon the successes of 2025, striving for continuous improvement and innovation in its quest to provide reliable and robust electricity transmission services to all Nigerians. The record-breaking transmission figures achieved in 2025 serve as a testament to TCN’s growing strength and its vital role as the backbone of the nation’s power sector, despite the ongoing challenges it faces.
