Blackout: TCN CEO Urges Patience Amid Grid Collapses, Cites Aging Infrastructure

Our reporter

Sule Abdulaziz, the Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has called for a more nuanced understanding of the frequent national grid collapses in the country.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Abdulaziz emphasised that TCN should not be solely blamed for the on-going grid failures, pointing to the complex interplay between generation, transmission, and distribution systems.

During the interview, Abdulaziz explained that grid collapses could be triggered by various factors, and it would be incorrect to assume that TCN is always at fault. "We manage the grid, but a collapse doesn’t mean the problem lies only with TCN. It can stem from generation, transmission, or even distribution issues. Sometimes, these failures are also due to natural disasters," he said.

In response to reports of recent grid collapses, Abdulaziz confirmed two incidents last week but disputed claims of a third. "We experienced disturbances on Monday and Saturday. However, reports of another collapse on Tuesday are false. We faced a setback while restoring the grid from Monday's collapse, but it was not a fresh failure," he clarified.

Abdulaziz acknowledged the need for improvements to reduce the frequency of grid collapses. He highlighted the progress made since 2015, noting that there had been a significant reduction in failures. "From 2015, the collapse rate has dropped significantly. We even went over a year, from 2022, without any major incident," he said.

The TCN boss also drew attention to the dilapidated state of the country's transmission infrastructure, which has suffered from years of neglect. "Some of the equipment we rely on is as old as 50 years, with others around 40 years. It’s unrealistic to expect flawless performance from systems this out-dated," Abdulaziz remarked.

He further stressed the need for continuous investment in the transmission grid, explaining that replacing old equipment cannot happen overnight. "We are constantly building new substations, purchasing spare parts, and replacing aging systems bit by bit. It’s a gradual process," he added.

While some projects receive federal funding, most of TCN's maintenance activities are financed through internally generated revenue (IGR), Abdulaziz explained.
He concluded by emphasising that the grid's upgrade must be approached in phases, as it is not feasible to overhaul the entire infrastructure at once.

The CEO’s comments come as Nigerians continue to face power supply disruptions, with the need for long-term investments in grid modernisation becoming increasingly evident.