Electricity generation on Nigeria’s national grid dropped sharply on Thursday after several power plants were forced to shut down due to inadequate gas supply, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency disclosed that as of 05:00 hours on March 5, 2026, total electricity generation on the national grid stood at 3,940.53 megawatts, already below expected capacity because of persistent gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power stations.
The operator explained that the situation worsened between 06:00 and 08:00 hours, when multiple generating units were shut down after gas supply to the plants became insufficient.
“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 further revealed that operational data from March 4, 2026 showed that thermal power plants across the country require about 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.
However, actual gas supply to the plants was only 652.92MMSCF, representing roughly 40 percent of the required gas for optimal power 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.
According to the operator, it is currently working with electricity generation companies and gas suppliers to monitor the situation and restore generation once gas supply to the affected plants stabilises.
“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.
