TCN Explains Recent Grid Collapse: Sudden Frequency Surge to Blame, Recovery Efforts Ongoing

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has shed light on the recent collapse of the national grid, attributing it to a sudden spike in frequency levels.

According to TCN, the grid went down around 11:29 a.m. on Thursday after the frequency shot up unexpectedly from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.

In a statement, TCN explained that the frequency surge was traced back to technical glitches at one of its key substations.

To prevent the issue from spreading further and causing widespread damage, the affected substation was quickly shut down.

“The spike in frequency was caused by issues at one of our substations, which we had to shut down to stop the problem from escalating,” TCN noted.

Despite the unexpected outage, TCN quickly sprang into action. Within just 28 minutes, power was partially restored to the Abuja area, though the company is still working to get other affected regions back online.

“Recovery is still ongoing,” TCN mentioned, adding that teams are working around the clock to stabilize the situation.

To prevent these kinds of disruptions from becoming a regular occurrence, TCN has ramped up repair work on some of its most important transmission lines and substations. These repairs are crucial to strengthening the entire grid and making it more reliable.

Some of the major projects currently underway include:

• Fixing the Shiroro–Mando 330kV Transmission Line, which is key to ensuring stable power in that region.
• Upgrading the Jebba Transmission Substation to handle a larger load and increase its efficiency.
• Restoring the second Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV Transmission Line to bolster power delivery to key areas.

These upgrades are part of TCN’s ongoing strategy to reduce the frequency of grid failures, but the company has cautioned that some instability may persist until all these improvements are complete.

“We are making significant upgrades, but it’s going to take time to see the full effect. Some hiccups might still happen along the way,” TCN stated.

Tackling the Root of the Problem

TCN’s efforts don’t stop at just fixing broken parts. After investigating past grid failures, the company has started to address deeper, systemic issues that have been plaguing the national grid.

Following recommendations from a special investigative committee, TCN is now implementing targeted changes to both the infrastructure and management strategies.

“We’re taking a closer look at the weaknesses in our system and working to fix them, so we can deliver more reliable power to Nigerians,” TCN explained.

While these efforts are a step in the right direction, TCN acknowledged that it’s going to take time to stabilize the grid fully. The company appealed to Nigerians for their patience as these long-term improvements are put in place.

“We know how disruptive these outages are to daily life, and we’re asking for everyone’s understanding as we work to improve things,” the statement read.

Why Grid Failures Keep Happening

Frequent power outages have left many Nigerians frustrated, and the root causes go beyond just transmission issues.

According to reports by Nairametrics, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has highlighted that the real bottleneck often lies with the electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

Nigeria currently has the capacity to generate around 13,610 MW of electricity, especially with new plants like the 700 MW Zungeru hydroelectric facility coming online.

Additionally, the country’s transmission system can handle up to 8,000 MW. However, the distribution companies are only capable of delivering about 4,000 MW to end-users.

“The main problem is not generating electricity; it’s getting it to people. The DisCos just don’t have the infrastructure to distribute more power,” NOA explained.

This imbalance means that even when generation capacity increases, most of that power never makes it to consumers due to outdated or insufficient distribution networks.

Despite the challenges, TCN and other power sector stakeholders are optimistic that ongoing reforms will eventually lead to a more reliable electricity supply.

The company is focusing on improving infrastructure, using better grid management technologies, and ensuring better coordination between all players in the electricity value chain.

As TCN works on these upgrades, the hope is that, with time, these changes will make a real difference in the everyday lives of Nigerians. For now, though, patience and resilience will be needed as the country navigates its way toward a more stable power future.