By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says only 5,506 megawatts (MW) of the country’s 13,625MW installed generation capacity was made available to consumers in October, representing a 40% plant availability rate.
According to the newly released factsheet, the month’s performance—driven by the top 10 energy producers, including Egbin, Delta, Kainji, Shiroro, Okpai, Geregu, and Ihovbor—accounted for about 80% of total generation. The modest output also marked a slight 2% increase compared with September.
Despite the average 5,506MW available, actual energy generated stood at 4,290 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h), translating to a load factor of 78%, unchanged from the previous month. NERC noted that the figures reflect persistent inefficiencies afflicting the Nigerian power sector.
Egbin Power Plant had an availability factor of 50% and a 90% load factor, delivering 591MWh/h. Delta produced 347MWh/h with 45% availability and an 86% load factor. Kainji posted one of the highest load factors at 95%, with availability of 75%.
Zungeru Hydro Plant recorded full 100% availability but operated at a modest 47% load factor, generating 330MWh/h. Odukpani achieved 84% load factor despite a low 31% availability, a sign of ongoing fuel supply challenges. Geregu continued to show strong performance with 50% availability and a 92% load factor, producing 200MWh/h.
Olorunsogo I and Omotosho I hit full 100% load factors, while Rivers I, Okpai II, and Alaoji I produced no power during the period.
Grid instability persisted throughout October. The average lower transmission voltage was 294.55 kilovolts (kV) and upper voltage 346.90kV, exceeding the safe operating band of 313.50kV to 346.50kV. Grid frequency also breached limits, averaging between 49.46Hz and 50.69Hz, outside the accepted 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz range.
The findings come days after Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu stated that although the grid can technically transmit 8,500MW, generation remains stuck around 5,000MW due to a mismatch between supply capability, demand, and actual consumption patterns nationwide.
