Power plants shut as generation drops to 3,940.53mw

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has stated that the continued decline in electricity generation on the national grid arising from persistent gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power plants. It would be recalled that Nigeria’s national grid has been facing low generation owing to the drop in gas supply. According to the Association of […]

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has stated that the continued decline in electricity generation on the national grid arising from persistent gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power plants.

It would be recalled that Nigeria’s national grid has been facing low generation owing to the drop in gas supply.

According to the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) this is due to the electricity generation companies not meeting up with their payment of gas which they blamed the federal government.

The APGC said the government is only paying 35 percent of its invoice from subsidy payment that has accrued to over N6trn.

Also, the gas shortage is coming during the dry season when water in hydro power plants are low but despite this, Daily Trust reports that the five hydro plants are providing 45 per cent of power generation.

But NISO in a statement said as at 05:00 hours of today Thursday, 5th March 2026, total generation on the national grid stood at 3,940.53 MW, which was already below the expected capacity due to existing gas supply limitations impacting a number of generating stations.

“Between 06:00 hours and 08:00 hours, several generating units were forced to shut down as a result of inadequate gas supply to the plants. This resulted in a cumulative reduction of approximately 292 MW in available generation on the grid during the period,” it said.

It said operational data as of 04 March 2026 indicate that thermal power plants require approximately 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.

“However, actual gas supply to these stations was approximately 652.92MMSCF, representing about 40% of the gas required for optimal generation.

“These developments further reduced the total generation available for dispatch to the national grid and have contributed to the current generation inadequacy being experienced across the system,” he added.

It said NISO is actively working with the affected Generation Companies (GenCos) and relevant gas suppliers to closely monitor the situation and facilitate the restoration of generation as soon as gas supply to the affected plants stabilizes.

“The System Operator continues to take necessary operational measures to maintain grid stability while managing the impact of the reduced generation on the network. NISO remains committed to keeping stakeholders and the public informed on developments affecting the national grid,” he said.