Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Lags as DisCos Deliver Less Than Half of Installed Capacity — NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that electricity distribution in October remained critically low, with distribution companies (DisCos) delivering only 5,506 megawatts (MW) out of the nation’s 13,625MW installed capacity. The figures, released in NERC’s latest monthly factsheet, show that only 40 percent of available capacity reached consumers during the period.

According to the regulator, the shortfall persists despite a marginal two percent improvement over September’s performance, highlighting the ongoing structural challenges in Nigeria’s power sector.

Top Generators Dominate Output

Electricity generation was largely driven by the country’s top 10 plants, which collectively accounted for approximately 80 percent of total output. Major contributors included hydro and gas-fired stations such as Egbin, Delta, Kainji, Shiroro, Okpai, Geregu, and Ihovbor.

However, overall generation remained below capacity, averaging 4,290 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h) despite the 5,506MW available. This translated to an average load factor of 78 percent, unchanged from September, according to NERC.

Plant-by-Plant Performance

• Egbin: 50% availability, 90% load factor, 591MWh/h output

• Delta: 45% availability, 86% load factor, 347MWh/h output

• Kainji: 75% availability, 95% load factor

• Zungeru: 100% availability, 47% load factor, 330MWh/h output

• Odukpani (Calabar): 31% availability, 84% load factor

• Geregu: 50% availability, 92% load factor, 200MWh/h output

Other notable performers included Afam I (91% load factor, 114MW capacity) and Geregu II (64% load factor, 110MW capacity). Olorunsogo I and Omotosho I operated at full load factors, whereas Rivers I, Okpai II, and Alaoji I failed to generate any power during the month.

Transmission Challenges Persist

The report highlighted ongoing grid instability, with transmission voltage fluctuating outside prescribed safety limits. Average lower voltage was 294.55kV, and upper voltage reached 346.90kV, both breaching the recommended range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.