The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says power generation has dropped to approximately 4,300 megawatts due to inadequate gas supply to thermal generating stations.

The management of NISO disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, warning that the reduced output directly affected electricity supply to distribution companies (DisCos).

According to the statement, thermal plants account for the majority of Nigeria’s generation mix, so any disruption in gas supply limits overall grid capacity and reduces energy allocation to DisCos.

“Operational data shows thermal power plants require about 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity, but actual supply as of Feb. 23 was only 692 MMSCF.

“This represents less than 43 per cent of the required volume, resulting in constrained generation output,” NISO said, adding that the shortfall is driving load shedding across the system.

The system operator noted that dispatching available energy followed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) allocation percentages to maintain grid stability and prevent system disturbances.

NISO expressed regret for the inconvenience the situation might cause consumers and market participants and said it was working with stakeholders to restore full energy allocation as gas supply improved.