Gas Constraints, Falling Reservoir Levels Deepen Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis

Nigerians are facing worsening electricity supply as inadequate gas availability, declining water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs and other operational challenges continue to restrict power generation.

Distribution Companies (DisCos) received a total of 2,926 megawatts (MW), according to data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), reflecting the constraints affecting electricity distribution nationwide.

The figures showed that Abuja DisCo received 633MW, Benin 264MW, Eko 256MW, Enugu 253MW and Ibadan 391MW.

Other allocations included 249MW for Ikeja, 146MW for Jos, 167MW for Kaduna, 173MW for Kano, 320MW for Port Harcourt and 74MW for Yola DisCo.

NISO said limited gas supply had prevented some thermal power stations from operating at their available capacity, while reduced water inflows had affected output from hydroelectric facilities.

“The limited availability of gas has constrained the capacity of affected thermal generating stations to operate at their available levels, while reduced water inflows into reservoirs have impacted the generation capacity of hydroelectric power stations,” the operator stated.

According to NISO, the decline in available generation has translated into lower electricity allocations for DisCos, leaving consumers with fewer hours of power and increasing the level of load shedding across distribution networks.

“Consequently, the reduction in available generation has affected the quantum of electricity allocated to Distribution Companies (DisCos) for onward supply to consumers, thereby resulting in reduced hours of electricity supply and increased load shedding across distribution networks,” it added.

The Federal Ministry of Power has also expressed concern over the disruptions, acknowledging the difficulties they have created for households, businesses and public institutions, especially in areas where electricity supply had recently improved.

The ministry, in a statement signed by Adeola Adelabu, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Power, said: “We recognise what every hour without power means for individuals, families and businesses, and we do not take it lightly.”

However, the ministry clarified that initial assessments had not identified any major or systemic breakdown of the national electricity grid as the cause of the disruptions.

It explained: “They stem from maintenance and operational issues on parts of the power ecosystem, together with a decline in generation caused by constraints in gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced output from hydroelectric stations due to lower water inflows into reservoirs.”

The ministry also revealed that the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, was engaging the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), NISO and electricity distribution companies to tackle the challenges, fast-track maintenance activities and return supply to normal levels.

Despite the challenges, electricity generation had increased to 3,688.95MW as of the time of filing this report, raising the possibility of some improvement in supply.

Among the major contributors, Azura-Edo IPP generated 437MW, Okpai 421MW, Delta 334MW, Afam VI 320MW, Shiroro hydro 295.90MW, Jebba hydro 245MW and Kainji hydro 214MW.

Other generating stations recorded Omotosho at 174.90MW, Zungeru at 160MW, Olorunsogo at 157.50MW, Geregu at 117MW, Egbin at 111MW, Omotosho NIPP at 102.10MW and Olorunsogo NIPP at 90.60MW.

Additional contributions came from Paras Energy with 81.70MW, Afam III with 70MW, Omoku with 33.80MW, Dadinkowa with 20.25MW and Trans-Amadi with 2.20MW.

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