The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed ongoing intermittent electricity supply across Nigeria to inadequate gas delivery to thermal power stations, which form the backbone of the country’s generation mix.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 27, 2026, NISO revealed that thermal plants require approximately 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas daily to operate at full capacity. However, actual gas supply as of February 23 stood at just 692 MMSCF, representing less than 43 percent of the necessary volume.
“This shortfall has constrained generation output, reducing average available capacity to about 4,300MW,” the operator said, noting that the low supply has forced the implementation of load shedding to maintain grid stability. Available energy is being dispatched in line with **Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission** (NERC) Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) allocation percentages across all distribution networks.
NISO explained that any disruption in gas supply directly affects thermal generation, which dominates Nigeria’s electricity production, thereby impacting consumers and market participants nationwide.
The operator expressed regret over the inconvenience and assured stakeholders that it is collaborating with relevant partners to restore full generation capacity once gas deliveries improve.
