TCN and AEDC Dispute Cause of Power Reduction in Abuja
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have given differing accounts of what caused the recent reduction in electricity supply to Abuja and parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The disagreement follows a public announcement by AEDC dated August 26, 2026, in which the distribution company said transmission constraints were affecting supply to Abuja and parts of its franchise area. AEDC said the tripping of transmission lines supplying Abuja from the Shiroro Transmission Station since Tuesday, August 25, had “significantly reduced” the power available to it. The company added that its allocation dropped from approximately 641 megawatts to 314 megawatts, substantially affecting its ability to supply electricity to customers.
“As a result, load shedding is currently being implemented across several feeders, including Band A feeders, due to the reduced power available from the transmission network,” AEDC said. The company also acknowledged that the National Control Centre had reported low generation levels, saying this had further compounded the supply challenge.
In response, TCN rejected AEDC’s explanation, describing the claim that its transmission lines tripped as “inaccurate and misleading.” TCN said the reduction in AEDC’s allocation was caused by low generation on the national grid, and not by any fault on its transmission lines.
“Contrary to the information contained in AEDC’s publication, all 330kV transmission lines within Abuja Region are currently in circuit,” TCN said. The transmission company added that “no such tripping of the 330kV transmission lines supplying Abuja axis, as alleged by AEDC, has occurred.” TCN consequently said the load shedding being experienced across AEDC feeders could not be attributed to any fault on its 330kV transmission network within the Abuja region.
The conflicting explanations have generated mixed reactions from electricity consumers on social media. Facebook user Harun Otayokhe said the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company had also given a similar explanation for reduced electricity supply within its franchise area, and asked, “How do we know who is telling us the truth between the TCN and these DISCOs?” Another user, Josua Laureli, questioned the lack of a clear explanation about the wider load shedding, saying, “Nothing has even been mentioned on what led to load shedding across the grid.” Ever Peace expressed frustration over the technical explanations, asking, “Light reduce abi e no reduce? Una go just dey speak English.”
The controversy has left consumers seeking clearer information on the actual cause of the power reduction, particularly whether the major factor was transmission constraints, low generation, or a combination of both.