Nigeria's Power Generation Falls Below 4,000MW Due to Gas Shortage

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reported that Nigeria's power generation has dropped below the 4,000 megawatt threshold due to persistent gas supply shortages impacting thermal power plants across the country. As of March 5, 2026, the national grid generated 3,940.53 megawatts, which is significantly below the expected capacity.

The gas supply constraints have forced several generating units to shut down, resulting in a cumulative reduction of approximately 292 megawatts during the period. The situation has deteriorated since a previous notice in February 2026, which indicated a similar gas supply constraint causing a drop to 4,300 megawatts.

NISO noted that thermal power plants require 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity, but the actual supply stands at only 652.92 million standard cubic feet per day, representing a shortfall of about 40%. This ongoing gas supply issue underscores the structural challenges within Nigeria's power sector, including pipeline vandalism and inadequate infrastructure.