NERC directs TCN to cut transmission losses to 6.5% by December 2026
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to ensure that Transmission Load Factor (TLF) across all regions does not exceed 6.5 per cent
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to ensure that Transmission Load Factor (TLF) across all regions does not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.
The directive was contained in Order No. NERC/2026/026, published on the Commission’s official X handle.
NERC noted that transmission losses within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry have shown measurable improvement over the past year.
According to data from the Nigerian System Operator (NISO), the Transmission Load Factor declined from 8.71 per cent in 2024 to 7.24 per cent in 2025, representing a reduction of 1.47 percentage points.
The Commission said the new target is part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and stability across the national grid.
The order said, "The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued Order No. NERC/2026/026 to improve transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).
"Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71% in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24% in 2025."
NERC further said, however, that this still exceeds the 7% benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
According to NERC, the Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The order reads in part, "Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.
Highlights and timelines in the Order include:
"NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.
"NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.
"NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.
"TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7% approved benchmarks in the regions.
"The Order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting."
