Nigeria’s Power Plants Operate at 31% Capacity Amid Ongoing Challenges
As of April 2026, grid-connected power plants in Nigeria were operating at only 31% of their total installed capacity, generating an average of 4,286 megawatts (MW) out of an installed capacity of 13,625 MW. This concerning statistic is outlined in the latest operational performance fact sheet released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Friday.
The report indicates a modest uptick in available power generation, which improved by 5% compared to March. However, persistent issues with voltage and frequency stability continue to compromise grid reliability, as both parameters frequently exceeded prescribed operational limits during the month.
NERC noted that the 28 grid-connected power plants reported an average power generation of 4,048 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h), resulting in a load factor of 94%. This metric reflects that a substantial 94% of available generating capacity was utilized during this period, showcasing relatively strong dispatch performance despite the low plant availability.
Voltage Management Breaches Operational Standards
In terms of grid stability, NERC revealed alarming figures concerning voltage levels. The average lower grid voltage was recorded at 302.60 kilovolts (kV), while the average upper grid voltage reached 353.40 kV—both considerably outside the specified operational range of 313.50 kV to 346.50 kV. Such fluctuations raise serious concerns regarding the quality and reliability of power supply for both consumers and industrial users.
Moreover, the report highlighted that the system frequency also breached acceptable thresholds. The average lower frequency was documented at 49.20 hertz (Hz), and the upper frequency peaked at 50.76 Hz, deviating from the acceptable range of 49.75 Hz to 50.25 Hz. Frequency imbalances can lead to sudden failures in the power system, potentially resulting in large-scale outages.
Dominance of Top Energy Producers
NERC identified that the top ten power plants accounted for an impressive 81% of total electricity generation in April. Notable contributions came from hydropower and major gas-fired stations, with Egbin, Kainji, and Jebba among the leaders. Egbin topped the list, contributing 557 MW from an installed capacity of 1,320 MW, achieving a plant availability of 42% and a load factor of 93%, translating to an average hourly power generation of 520 MWh/h.
Kainji generated 473 MW from its 760 MW capacity, resulting in 62% availability and a load factor of 97%. Jebba produced 393 MW with an installed capacity of 578 MW, reflecting a 68% availability and a 95% load factor. Notably, Ikhovbor 2 showcased the highest plant availability among top producers, releasing 459 MW from its full capacity of 461 MW, achieving a remarkable 100% availability rate at a load factor of 93%.
Underperformance of Other Plants
The report brought attention to the dismal performance of several grid-connected power plants. Olorunsogo 2 had an installed capacity of 750 MW but could only deliver 33 MW to the grid, reflecting a mere 4% availability despite a 97% load factor. Other underperforming plants included Afam 1 with only 8% availability, Sapele Steam 1 with just 1%, and Alaoji 1, Ibom Power 1, and Rivers 1, which recorded complete non-operation during the month.
Furthermore, Sapele 2 and Gereg 1 exhibited very low utilization rates, operating at just 10% and 2%, respectively. In contrast, Ikeja 1 achieved 100% availability with its 110 MW installed capacity, while Olorunsogo 1 and Omatosho 1 also reported high load factors of 100%.
Long-standing Structural Issues Persist
The data for April reinforces ongoing structural challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector, revealing that the installed generation capacity still far exceeds the available and distributable power. Despite significant investments in power generation infrastructure, issues such as low plant availability, gas supply constraints, maintenance difficulties, transmission bottlenecks, and inconsistent grid stability continue to hinder efficient electricity delivery throughout the country.
The latest statistics suggest that while the efficiency of electricity distribution has seen improvement, Nigeria remains overly dependent on a limited number of high-performing plants. This dependency renders the national grid vulnerable to disruptions whenever a major generation unit faces downtime. Continued violations of voltage and frequency limits further expose operational weaknesses within the power grid, complicating ongoing efforts to enhance the electricity supply across Nigeria.
