Despite FG’s Reforms, Power Plants Operated At 41% Capacity In November – Report

Nigeria’s electricity supply industry continued to struggle in November, as power plants delivered just 41 per cent of their installed capacity, according to a report from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The latest Operational Performance Factsheet released by NERC stated that out of a total installed capacity of 13,625 megawatts (MW) across 28 grid-connected power plants, only an average of 5,544MW was available for dispatch during the month.

It added that an actual generation was lower, with the grid producing an average of 4,701MWh per hour.

This, according to the commission, indicates that only 85 per cent of available capacity was utilised.

NERC’s data shows persistent structural challenges within the generation segment, marked by widespread outages, weak utilisation and constrained operations.

The report highlights significant voltage and frequency fluctuations, key indicators of grid fragility.

According to the report, the minimum grid voltage recorded in November was 296.50kV, which was far below the prescribed lower limit of 313.50kV.

It stated that the upper voltage limit averaged 345.67kV, which fell within the approved threshold of 346.50kV.

NERC explained that the grid fluctuated between 49.53Hz and 50.62Hz, breached the acceptable 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz band.

During the period, ten power plants supplied 81 per cent of the total energy generated in November, underscoring the sector’s dependence on a handful of facilities.

The commission added that in November, Egbin, Nigeria’s largest power station, operated at 50 per cent availability and delivered 616MWh/h at a 94 per cent load factor.

It stated further that the hydro plants performed strongly, with Kainji producing 565MWh/h at a 97 per cent load factor, while Jebba delivered 444MWh/h/h at 83 per cent.

The report noted that the Zungeru hydropower plant recorded full availability at 700MW but produced at only 59 per cent load factor.

However, Gas plants recorded steep shortfalls during the period, except Afam II, Okpai, Delta and Ihovbor II, which were ranked among the top performers.

But several others, including Alaoji, Omotosho II, Ihovbor I and Sapele Steam, operated at between zero and 11 per cent availability.

It added that plants such as Olorunsogo II (8 per cent availability), Odukpani (19 per cent), Sapele II (21 per cent), and Rivers IPP (42 per cent) highlight the uneven performance across the system.

The report stated that only a few facilities, including the small Dadin-Kowa and Ikeja plants, achieved above 90 per cent availability.
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