Nigeria has experienced a significant drop in power generation, falling by 45.4% to 2,777.04 Megawatts (MW) as of yesterday. This decline comes after the national grid reached a peak of 5,040.72 MW on Tuesday. According to data from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator (NESO), part of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the power generation dipped further from an earlier peak of 4,370.14 MW at midday to 2,777.04 MW in the evening.
This situation highlights ongoing issues within Nigeria’s power sector, despite recent revisions to billing for Band A power consumers. Industry experts point to an inadequate gas supply for thermal power stations and poor transmission infrastructure as key reasons for the decline.
In response to the situation, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, previously announced that the national grid had achieved a three-year high of 5,313 MW. However, Vanguard’s investigation found that the grid closed at 3,940.49 MW on Monday night, with the highest generation reaching 4,805.59 MW at 8:00 PM that day.
Amidst these challenges, Sanusi Garba, Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), urged investors and Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to focus on finding solutions rather than making excuses. During a meeting with DISCO investors, Garba emphasized the Commission’s support and encouraged them to propose innovative ideas and regulatory interventions to promote positive changes in the sector.
Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of Power Up Nigeria, stressed the need for power generation to meet market demand. He suggested that electricity pricing should be adjusted appropriately, subsidies on electricity tariffs should be removed, and institutional financing or other creative solutions for metering should be explored.
Adegbemle also argued that electricity should not be treated as a “national cake” distributed to everyone, advocating for a liberalized sector that ensures widespread electricity coverage. He emphasized that energy poverty contributes to a nation’s overall poverty and called for pricing adjustments, subsidy removal, and liberalization to enable synchronized development across the country.
This decline in power generation has sparked conversations among stakeholders about the future of Nigeria’s electricity sector. As the nation seeks solutions, the focus remains on ensuring reliable power supply and improving infrastructure to support economic growth.
