Gas constraints reduce electricity generation to 3,940MW

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

NISO made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

“As of 5:00 a.m. of Thursday, total generation on the national grid stood at 3,940.53 Megawatts (MW), which was already below the expected capacity due to existing gas supply limitations,” it said.

NISO said the drop in generation had impacted a number of generating stations.

The system operator said between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. several generating units were forced to shut down due to inadequate gas supply to the plants.

It added: “This resulted in a cumulative reduction of approximately 292 MW in available generation on the grid during the period.

“Operational data as at Wednesday indicated that thermal power plants require approximately 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.

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

NISO said these developments further reduced the total generation available for dispatch to the national grid and had contributed to the current generation inadequacy being experienced across the system.

NISO disclosed that it was actively working with the affected power generation companies and relevant gas suppliers to closely monitor the situation and facilitate the restoration of generation as soon as gas supply to the affected plants stabilised.

The Star