Power Crisis Persists As NERC Reports 31% Plant Capacity In April
Low plant availability and grid instability continue to weaken electricity supply nationwide.
NIGERIA’S electricity generation sector remains under significant strain, with grid-connected power plants operating at just 31 per cent of installed capacity in April 2026, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The regulator’s latest operational report shows that only 4,286 megawatts (MW) were available for dispatch out of a total installed capacity of 13,625MW, highlighting persistent inefficiencies in the country’s power infrastructure.
Limited Capacity, High Utilisation
Despite low availability, the report indicates that existing capacity was largely utilised, with a load factor of 94 per cent. This suggests that most of the electricity that was available was effectively dispatched to meet demand.
Average hourly generation stood at 4,048 megawatt-hours per hour, reflecting marginal improvement compared to March figures.
However, analysts note that strong utilisation of limited supply does little to address the broader issue of inadequate electricity generation relative to national demand.
Grid Instability Raises Concerns
The report also flagged continued instability in Nigeria’s power grid, with voltage and frequency levels exceeding prescribed operational limits.
Average grid voltage fluctuated outside the standard range, while system frequency also breached acceptable thresholds, raising concerns about the risk of system disturbances or grid collapse.
Experts warn that such instability affects both households and industries, leading to inconsistent power supply and potential damage to electrical equipment.
Few Plants Dominate Output
NERC revealed that just 10 power plants accounted for 81 per cent of total electricity generated during the month.
Key contributors included major hydropower and gas-fired stations such as Egbin Power Station, Kainji Hydroelectric Power Station, Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station and Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station.
Among them, Ihovbor 2 recorded one of the strongest performances with full availability, while Egbin remained the largest contributor to the grid.
Widespread Underperformance
In contrast, several plants recorded extremely low or zero output.
Facilities such as Alaoji 1, Ibom Power 1 and Rivers 1 reported no generation during the period, while others like Sapele Steam and Geregu posted minimal operational figures.
These disparities highlight a widening performance gap within the generation fleet, where a handful of plants sustain the grid while many others remain underutilised or idle.
Structural Challenges Persist
The April data underscores long-standing structural issues in Nigeria’s electricity sector, including gas supply constraints, maintenance challenges, transmission bottlenecks and weak grid management.
While investments have increased installed capacity over the years, actual power delivery remains constrained by operational inefficiencies.
Industry stakeholders warn that without significant reforms in generation, transmission and distribution systems, Nigeria’s electricity supply challenges are likely to persist, limiting economic growth and industrial productivity.
