Joseph Bakare
Nigeria’s grid infrastructure continues to suffer discomfort and challenged by inadequate supply from power generation assets.
According to data only 10 power plants accounted for about 81 per cent of the country’s total electricity generation in April 2026, amid weak plant availability and ongoing grid instability.
According to the latest operational performance report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), just 4,286MW out of the country’s 13,625MW installed generation capacity was available for dispatch during the period. This translates to a plant availability rate of only 31 per cent, meaning nearly 69 per cent of installed capacity remained idle.
Despite the low availability, the sector recorded an average hourly generation of 4,048MWh/h, with a high load factor of 94 per cent indicating that most available power plants were operating close to maximum capacity when online.
Grid operating outside safe limits
The NERC also reported that the national grid operated outside approved technical limits during the month. Voltage levels fell below required standards, averaging 302.60kV compared to the minimum threshold of 313.50kV, while the upper limit rose above acceptable levels at 353.40kV.
Frequency stability also breached regulatory standards, with readings fluctuating between 49.20Hz and 50.76Hz. Experts say such instability often contributes to system collapses and damage to electrical infrastructure.
Several plants contributed significantly to national output despite system constraints. Egbin Power Plant remained the highest contributor, while hydro stations like Kainji Hydroelectric Power Plant and Jebba Hydroelectric Power Plant also recorded strong efficiency levels, with high load factors above 90 per cent.
Ihovbor Power Plant stood out with 100% availability, while Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant posted one of the highest utilisation rates despite moderate availability.
Other stations such as Delta and Afam-2 also contributed meaningfully, maintaining strong output relative to available capacity.
However, several major gas-powered stations remained heavily underutilised. Plants such as Olorunsogo-2 and Afam-1 recorded extremely low availability, while facilities like Sapele Steam Plant reported near-zero output during the month.
Some plants, including Alaoji Power Plant, Ibom Power, and Rivers IPP, recorded no generation at all, highlighting persistent operational and supply challenges.
The report highlights deep structural issues in Nigeria’s electricity industry, including gas supply shortages, aging infrastructure, transmission bottlenecks, and liquidity constraints.
Despite years of reforms following sector privatisation, Nigeria’s available generation still falls far below estimated national demand, which is put at over 30,000MW.
Industry analysts warn that without significant investment in generation, transmission, and gas supply infrastructure, the country’s power challenges are likely to persist.