The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed its tremendous successes in transmitting multiple all-time peak generation in the last six months to effective grid management and the development of key projects under the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (NEGMREP).

Speaking during a briefing with the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Williams Alo in Abuja recently, the acting Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz, disclosed that the company has recorded enviable achievements in its operations of the power transmission system. He listed his administration’s achievement to include completion of some abandoned on-going projects such as; Gagarawa 2X60MVA, 132/33kV Substation in Jigawa State; 1X100MVA Transformer at Ogba TS, Lagos State; Installation and commissioning of 132/33KV 60MVA Transformer at Rumuosi T/S in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Installation and commissioning of 1x150MVA transformer at Kano; Deployment of Automatic Meter Reading System to improve efficiency and transparency of Market data administration; Secure and funding for implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to improve internal business processes and accountability, creation of new work centers at Jalingo, Katsina and Uyo; upgrading of Gwagwalada and Gomo work centers to Subregion; improved enforcement of Market Rules which has significantly improved TCN’s revenue profile and many more.

The TCN MD/CEO, further highlighted the network capacity of the federal government-owned public power utility, indicating that TCN has 52 units of 330 kilovolts power transmission stations nationwide with a host of 132 kilovolts power transmission stations, adding that TCN has delivered several capital power transmission projects nationwide from federal government appropriation together and cited the projects being implemented through funding from multilateral donor agencies.

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Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz, further informed the Perm. Sec of some outstanding challenges TCN is facing, which include Payment of compensation for acquisition of transmission lines Right of Way (RoW) for various projects across the country, (Finalizing some of the Financing Agreements with the donors on some of the TREP projects), several issues related to performance of DisCos that directly impact on TCN activities such as load under-utilization, weak network and improper connection of Distribution Transformers; COVID-19 restrictions affecting projects implementation, among others.

Engr. S. Abdulaziz concluded his briefing to the Permanent Secretary with several suggestions that would help TCN achieve its mandate of improved quality and efficient power supply to Nigerians. The way forward, according to him, include: continued collaboration with State Governments to address Right of Way (RoW) issues; Improved financing for federal government funded projects across the country; Sustained implementation of projects through NEGMERP and other laudable programs of TCN in conjunction with other power sector players.

Responding to MD/CEO’s presentation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mr William Alo, said it was obviously clear of what TCN has been doing. According to him, although the briefing is routine for all the agencies under the ministry on quarterly basis, the current briefing was imperative to acquaint him with the workings of the agencies including TCN and its mandate of delivering bulk electricity in the power sector. He appreciated the TCN management team and promised better synergy.