By Garba Mohammed
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has revealed that ongoing gas supply shortages are forcing several thermal power plants to shut down, leading to a drop in electricity generation on Nigeria’s national grid.
In a statement released on Thursday, NISO disclosed that as of 05:00 a.m. on March 5, 2026, total electricity generation stood at 3,940.53 megawatts (MW), already below the expected capacity due to limited gas supply affecting several power stations.
The operator explained that between 06:00 a.m. and 08:00 a.m., multiple generating units were compelled to shut down because they did not receive enough gas to continue operations. This development caused a further decline of about 292MW in the amount of electricity available on the grid during that period.
According to operational data from March 4, 2026, thermal power plants require roughly 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at full capacity. However, the actual supply delivered to the plants was only 652.92 MMSCF, representing just 40 percent of the volume required for optimal power generation.
NISO noted that the shortfall has significantly reduced the electricity available for distribution on the national grid, contributing to the current power supply challenges across the country.
The agency added that it is working closely with affected generation companies and gas suppliers to monitor the situation and support efforts to restore power output once gas supply improves.
Meanwhile, the system operator said it is implementing necessary operational measures to maintain the stability of the grid while managing the impact of the reduced generation. NISO assured that stakeholders and the public will continue to receive updates on developments affecting the national electricity grid.
