The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a significant decrease in the country's power generation, which has dropped to an average of 4,300 megawatts (MW) due to inadequate gas supplies for thermal power plants.
In a statement released on Friday, NISO indicated that the reduction in power output is primarily due to critical gas supply issues impacting thermal power stations, which are the dominant producers of electricity in Nigeria.
"We hereby notify the general public and all market participants that the current average available generation of approximately 4,300MW is primarily due to inadequate gas supply to thermal generating stations," the statement explained.
Frequent grid failures and unreliable electricity supply have increasingly disrupted daily activities for businesses and homes throughout the nation, compelling many Nigerians to turn to alternative energy solutions like generators and solar power.
On February 12, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) had warned of impending power supply challenges as Seplat planned a four-day maintenance of gas facilities nationwide.
This maintenance was set for February 12 to 15, and the NNPC highlighted that power generation companies relying on the gas supply could face diminished gas availability, which might further affect electricity generation in that timeframe.
The NISO noted that thermal power plants collectively require approximately 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas daily for optimal operations.
However, as of February 23, 2026, the actual gas supply available to these plants was approximately 692.00 MMSCF daily—representing less than 43% of the required quantity.
The agency emphasized that this gas shortfall has severely hampered generation capacity and reduced the volume of electricity that can be distributed.
“The available gas supply accounts for less than 43% of what is necessary, leading to limited generation output. The current low power generation levels are fundamentally caused by insufficient gas supply to thermal generation units, subsequently impacting energy allocation to Distribution Companies (DisCos),” stated NISO.
Furthermore, the NISO explained that when the total system generation falls sharply, it is mandatory to execute load shedding across the grid to maintain stability and prevent system disruptions.
The operator indicated that the available electricity is dispatched in accordance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Market Rules and the allocation percentages designated across distribution networks.
When total system generation significantly declines, the Independent System Operator must implement load shedding across the system while ensuring energy dispatch aligns with NERC’s MYTO allocation ratios across all distribution networks, in order to sustain grid stability and avert system disturbances.
The agency acknowledged the inconvenience this situation may present to electricity consumers and market stakeholders, assuring them that steps are being taken to restore full energy allocations once gas supply levels improve.
"While we regret the inconvenience this situation may cause electricity consumers and affected market participants, we will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure full energy allocation resumes as soon as gas supply and generation capacity are restored," NISO affirmed.
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