TCN Faults Ikeja Electric Over Grid Instability Claims, Says Low Generation Behind Power Outages
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has faulted Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) over its attribution of several Band A feeder outages recorded on November 3 and 4, 2026, to grid instability, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement signed by its management on Friday, November 6, 2026, TCN maintained that the reported reduction in electricity supply was caused by constraints in gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced output from hydroelectric stations due to lower reservoir inflows.
The company noted that the position was consistent with a public clarification issued by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) on November 5, which explained that the decline in available generation had resulted in reduced energy allocations to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), fewer hours of supply, and increased load shedding across distribution networks.
TCN argued that Ikeja Electric lacked the authority to determine the root causes of disturbances, shortfalls, and interruptions on the national grid, citing Section 67 of the Electricity Act 2023, which places such responsibility within the functions of NISO.
It added that NISO had not made any determination attributing the outages highlighted in IKEDC’s public notice to TCN.
The transmission company stressed that its network could only transmit electricity made available through generation and could not transmit energy that had not been generated.
Citing operational records covering all feeders supplying Ikeja Electric, TCN disclosed that 68 per cent of interruptions recorded on November 1 and 2 were frequency-control load shedding arising from low generation.
It said that another 26 per cent resulted from Ikeja Electric’s non-compliance with load allocations issued by NISO’s National Control Centre (NCC), or faults and maintenance works on the distribution company’s network.
The remaining six per cent, according to TCN, were attributable to its planned maintenance, switching operations or line limitations, adding that none of the recorded interruptions resulted from a TCN equipment fault or trip.
Specifically, TCN stated that of the 46 interruptions recorded on the 33kV feeders identified in Ikeja Electric’s notice, 29 were caused by frequency-control load shedding arising from low generation, while 14 were recorded against IKEDC.
The company explained that nine of the 14 interruptions were due to non-compliance with load allocation, while the remaining five resulted from faults or trips on Ikeja Electric’s network. The other three were scheduled TCN maintenance activities on the Ogba-Alimosho line on November 1.
TCN also cited the Rack Centre feeder interruption on November 2 as an example, stating that the outage resulted from a cable fault on Ikeja Electric’s network, which was subsequently repaired by the company’s crew.
It further noted that Ikeja Electric’s own public notice attributed faults on some of the affected feeders, including MTN, Iju Water Works, and Rack Centre, to the distribution company under the designation “IE”.
The transmission company urged Ikeja Electric and other distribution companies to desist from making what it described as unfounded claims about the causes of electricity supply shortfalls, stressing the need for customer communications to be based on verified information from NISO.
It also advised electricity consumers to consult NISO’s official platforms for accurate information on the state of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
TCN expressed sympathy with customers affected by the reduced hours of electricity supply, reaffirming its commitment to transmitting all available energy safely, reliably, and efficiently within prevailing operational constraints.
The company pledged to continue working with NISO, generation companies, and distribution companies to improve electricity supply across the country.
