The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says power generation has dropped to approximately 4,300 megawatts due to inadequate gas supply to thermal generating stations.
The management of NISO disclosed this in a statement on Friday, February 27, 2026, in Abuja, warning that the reduced output directly affected electricity supply to distribution companies (DisCos).
According to the statement, thermal plants account for the majority of Nigeria’s generation mix, so any disruption in gas supply limits overall grid capacity and reduces energy allocation to DisCos.
“Operational data shows thermal power plants require about 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity, but actual supply as of Feb. 23 was only 692 MMSCF.
“This represents less than 43 per cent of the required volume, resulting in constrained generation output,” NISO said, adding that the shortfall is driving load shedding across the system.
The system operator noted that dispatching available energy followed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) allocation percentages to maintain grid stability and prevent system disturbances.
NISO expressed regret for the inconvenience the situation might cause consumers and market participants and said it was working with stakeholders to restore full energy allocation as gas supply improved.
Meanwhile, the MainPower Electricity Distribution Ltd. (MEDL) says the recent drop in power supply across network in Enugu State is due to inadequate gas supply to thermal generating stations.
Its spokesman, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, made the disclosure in a statement in Enugu on Friday.
Ezeh said this development had reduced energy generation and allocation to the company.
“As a result of the decline in generation, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), in a bid to maintain grid stability and prevent system disturbances, is currently implementing load shedding across the national grid.
“This has impacted power availability to our network and by extension, our customers.
“We wish to assure our customers that this situation is not peculiar to MEDL, but a system-wide challenge arising from the current generation constraints.
“We are actively engaging with relevant stakeholders and remain hopeful that the gas supply issues will be resolved soon, leading to improved power supply,” he said.
He commended residents for their patience and understanding, adding, “we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused”.
MEDL is a subsidiary company of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
By Constance Athekame and Stanley Nwanosike