Nigeria’s electricity generation has declined further as gas supply is now 60 percent of the demand. This shortage has continued to disrupt operations at several thermal power plants, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
In a statement on Thursday, the grid operator said the shortage forced multiple generating units to shut down, resulting in a drop of about 292 megawatts (MW) in available power on the national grid. “The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to inform stakeholders and the public of the continued decline in electricity generation on the national grid arising from persistent gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power plants,” the statement reads.
NISO disclosed that as of 05:00 hours on Thursday, March 5, 2026, total power generation on the national grid stood at 3,940.53 MW, already below expected capacity due to ongoing gas supply limitations. The situation worsened between 06:00 and 08:00 hours, when several power-generating units were forced offline because of inadequate gas supply.
“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.”
According to the system operator, the shutdowns resulted in a cumulative loss of approximately 292 MW from the national grid during the period. Operational data reviewed by NISO also highlights a significant gap between gas demand and actual supply to thermal plants. The agency said generating stations require about 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) of gas daily to operate at optimal capacity.
However, only 652.92 mmscf was supplied as of March 4, representing roughly 40 percent of the required volume. “However, actual gas supply to these stations was approximately 652.92MMSCF, representing about 40% of the gas required for optimal generation,” NISO said. The shortage has further reduced electricity available for dispatch to the grid, contributing to ongoing supply constraints across the country’s power network.
NISO said it is currently working with affected Generation Companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers to address the supply disruptions and restore normal generation levels once gas deliveries stabilise. The operator added that it is implementing operational measures to maintain grid stability while managing the effects of the reduced generation capacity. Despite the setback, NISO said it remains committed to providing updates to stakeholders and the public on developments affecting the national electricity grid.
