Nigeria’s electricity generation has dropped further below the 4,000 megawatt threshold following persistent gas supply shortages affecting thermal power plants across the country, the Nigerian Independent System Operator said on Thursday.
In a statement titled “Gas Constraints Lead to Temporary Reduction in Power Generation,” the grid operator disclosed that the national grid generated only 3,940.53 megawatts as of 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, reflecting ongoing fuel supply challenges that have continued to constrain output from gas-fired plants.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Independent System Operator 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.
“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.”
According to the agency, the output level was already below expected capacity due to ongoing gas supply shortages impacting several power plants across the country.
The operator added that the situation deteriorated within hours as a number of generating units were forced to shut down due to inadequate gas supply.
“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 operator said.
Online reports that Thursday’s announcement comes barely weeks after the system operator issued an earlier notice in February 2026, warning of generation shortfalls caused by similar gas supply constraints.
In that earlier update, the grid operator said electricity generation had dropped to about 4,300MW, already reflecting the impact of limited gas availability to power plants.
The latest figure of 3,940.53MW therefore represents a further decline in available generation capacity compared to the February notice, highlighting the worsening impact of fuel supply shortages on Nigeria’s power system.
In the new notice, operational data cited by the system operator, thermal power plants on the national grid require about 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.
However, actual gas supply to the plants currently stands at only 652.92 million standard cubic feet per day, representing roughly 40 per cent of the required volume.
“This shortfall has significantly affected the ability of thermal power plants to operate at optimal capacity and has further reduced the total generation available for dispatch to the national grid,” the statement said.
The agency noted that the generation deficit was responsible for the power supply inadequacy currently being experienced across parts of the country.
The system operator said it was working closely with electricity generation companies and gas suppliers to restore fuel supply to the affected power plants.
“NISO is actively working with the affected 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 stabilises,” the statement added.
It further noted that operational measures were being implemented to maintain stability on the grid despite the reduced generation capacity.
“The System Operator continues to take necessary operational measures to maintain grid stability while managing the impact of the reduced generation on the network,” it said.
Nigeria’s power generation mix is heavily dependent on gas-fired thermal plants, which account for more than 70 per cent of electricity supplied to the national grid.
However, the sector has been plagued by recurring gas supply constraints caused by pipeline vandalism, inadequate gas infrastructure, payment disputes between power generation companies and gas suppliers, and the diversion of gas to more profitable export markets.
The recurring gas shortages underscore structural challenges in the electricity market, including liquidity constraints in the power value chain and inadequate investments in gas-to-power infrastructure.
Despite Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, estimated to be among the largest in Africa, power plants frequently operate below installed capacity due to supply bottlenecks.
The government has repeatedly pledged to address the gas supply challenge through initiatives aimed at boosting domestic gas production, expanding pipeline networks and strengthening payment guarantees within the electricity market.
Meanwhile, NISO said it would continue to keep stakeholders and electricity consumers informed on developments affecting generation and grid operations.
“The System Operator continues to take necessary operational measures to maintain grid stability while managing the impact of the reduced generation on the network.
“NISO remains committed to keeping stakeholders and the public informed on developments affecting the national grid,” the statement concluded.