TCN Launches Digital System to Track Grid Outages, Boost Power Reliability

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has introduced a new digital platform for monitoring electricity load and outages across the national transmission network, in a move aimed at improving grid reliability and accountability.

The Load & Outage Analytics platform, developed internally by TCN’s Operations Department, was unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.

The new system is designed to replace the largely manual and fragmented process previously used to compile outage reports, allowing TCN to analyse network performance and generate management reports more efficiently.

Speaking at the launch, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, represented by the General Manager, Project Coordination, Engr. Aminu Tahir, commended the Operations Department for developing the platform.

Abdulaziz said the technology had already enhanced the visibility of transmission operations, although its deployment had not yet covered the entire network.

He identified technical and economic losses as some of the challenges confronting the transmission system, stressing the importance of improved load management and accurate supply-and-demand analysis.

According to him, stronger monitoring and maintenance of the transmission network would help reduce outages, improve operational efficiency and limit the financial consequences of prolonged interruptions.

Platform Processes Outage Data in Minutes

The General Manager, Operations, Engr. Godwin Afamefuna Aguiyi, who led the technical presentation, said the platform was developed to address longstanding problems associated with TCN’s reliability reporting.

He explained that outage information had previously been kept in separate spreadsheets across different regions, making it difficult to produce timely and consistent national assessments.

Aguiyi said the manual system was slow and resulted in inconsistencies in the calculation of performance indicators.

The new Streamlit-based application contains 13 modules covering transmission regions, stations, transformers and feeders.

According to him, the platform can automatically classify outages and produce reliability-performance information and management reports within minutes.

It also features role-based access, structured data uploads and audit trails.

The system is expected to improve accountability by replacing shared logins and uncontrolled spreadsheet access with individual staff identification, making it easier to determine who entered or modified operational information.

3,714 Outages Recorded in July

Using July 2026 data, Aguiyi demonstrated how the platform can analyse outage patterns across the transmission network.

He said the preliminary data submitted by TCN’s regional teams showed 3,714 outages nationwide in July 2026, resulting in a reported 48,603 megawatt-hours (MWh) of lost load.

The Lagos area recorded 20,693 MWh of lost load during the period, comprising 572 emergency outages, 306 forced outages and 129 scheduled outages.

The analysis also showed that 22 feeders exceeded the permissible outage hours, with associated losses estimated at ₦720.33 million.

Aguiyi cited the Obosi feeder in Onitsha as one example, saying it recorded a lost load of 1,063.74 MWh at Band A rates.

He clarified that the feeder-level figures covered sections of the network under TCN’s responsibility and did not include outages attributable to Distribution Companies (DisCos).

System to Help Determine Responsibility

The platform also incorporates a Fault Attribution Ratio, which is intended to help determine responsibility for service interruptions between TCN and DisCos.

Aguiyi explained that under the applicable Service Level Agreement, permitted downtime liability is allocated at 30 per cent to TCN and 70 per cent to DisCos.

However, individual outages are assessed based on their specific causes and the affected portions of the electricity network.

He added that the platform could eventually assist in monitoring transmission losses if appropriate energy-measurement equipment was installed across the network.

TCN Plans Nationwide Deployment

Aguiyi recommended that the digital platform be deployed nationwide and integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technology to facilitate real-time data collection.

He also called for improved connectivity and display systems at transmission stations to enhance the effectiveness of the platform.

The Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, Mrs Abiodun Afolabi-Fadahunsi, said engineers and system operators needed the right tools and instruments to maintain grid stability.

She assured TCN’s technical personnel of management’s continued support, adding that the company was monitoring daily grid reports and responding to operational requirements.

The launch represents another step in TCN’s digital transformation efforts, with the company expecting the platform to facilitate faster identification of network problems, improve accountability for outages and strengthen the overall performance of Nigeria’s transmission grid.