Nigeria’s power generation has dropped to 3,940MW due to a severe gas supply shortage, forcing several thermal power plants to shut down.
In a statement, the agency said that as of 05:00 hours on March 5, 2026, total electricity generation on the national grid was recorded at 3,940.53 megawatts, already below expected capacity due to ongoing gas supply constraints affecting a number of thermal power stations.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reports that gas supply constraints have reduced available generation on the grid, with thermal plants receiving only 652.92 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, roughly 40% of the required 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet.
The shortage has led to a cumulative reduction of approximately 292MW in available generation, exacerbating power supply challenges nationwide.
The statement reads: “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 292MW in available generation on the grid during the period,” the statement said.
The agency also disclosed that operational figures from March 4, 2026 show that thermal power plants nationwide require about 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas daily to operate at full capacity.
However, the actual gas supplied to the plants was only 652.92MMSCF, which represents about 40 percent of the volume needed for optimal electricity 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,” the statement added.
The operator noted that it is currently engaging electricity generation companies as well as gas suppliers to closely monitor the situation and restore generation levels once gas supply to the affected plants improves.
“The System Operator continues to take necessary operational measures to maintain grid stability while managing the impact of the reduced generation on the network,” the statement said, adding that the agency would keep stakeholders and the public informed about developments affecting the national grid.
