Power generation plunges 88% as NISO denies grid collapse

Nigeria’s electricity generation plunged by 87.6 per cent on Monday, falling from 3,840 megawatts (MW) in the morning to just 476.70MW by 1 pm, disrupting supply in parts of the country and raising fresh concerns over the cost of unreliable power to businesses and households.

Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that generation dropped by 3,363.3MW within six hours, with the sharp decline beginning around 12.40 pm and most power plants recording zero output.

The plunge triggered reports of outages, with consumers complaining of electricity interruptions between about 12.45 pm and 1.20 pm. By 1.23 pm, the NISO dashboard showed generation at approximately 480MW, with only five generating companies contributing electricity to the grid.

Major stations, including Egbin, Jebba, Shiroro and Kainji, alongside several gas-fired plants, recorded zero output during the period. Odukpani National Integrated Power Project, Omotosho and Sapele were among the few stations still generating electricity.

Despite the dramatic drop, NISO dismissed claims that the national grid had collapsed, saying there was no system-wide disturbance at the time.

A senior NISO official said the outages could have resulted from localised faults or temporary tripping of equipment, adding that the system operator had directed its technical team to investigate the unusual decline.

“There is no disturbance at the moment. Probably if something is happening, maybe it is a local issue, but there is nothing on the grid,” the official said.

The explanation, however, has done little to diminish concerns about the reliability of electricity supply, particularly for businesses that depend on consistent power to maintain production, preserve goods and deliver services.

For manufacturers, retailers, hospitals and small businesses, a sharp reduction in grid supply can mean greater dependence on petrol and diesel generators, adding to operating expenses at a time when energy costs remain high. Businesses unable to absorb the additional expenditure may pass it on to consumers through higher prices, while others may cut operating hours or reduce production.

Households also bear the cost through additional spending on alternative power sources, with fuel and generator maintenance competing with food, transport and other essential expenses.

Monday’s incident comes amid recurring concerns over Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and the stability of the national grid. The Federal Government has recently approved plans for new eastern and western power grids as part of efforts to strengthen the system and address persistent disruptions.

But the latest decline highlights the gap between installed generation capacity and the electricity actually delivered to consumers. Even when generating plants are available, failures in generation, transmission or system coordination can leave homes and businesses without adequate supply.

The economic consequences extend beyond temporary outages. Unreliable electricity raises production costs, weakens industrial competitiveness and discourages investment by making it more difficult for businesses to plan output and control expenses.

For Nigeria, where manufacturers and commercial operators already spend heavily on self-generation, sustained electricity reliability remains critical to reducing the cost of doing business.

NISO’s technical investigation will be important in establishing what caused the sudden loss of more than 3,300MW. Until such disruptions are properly explained and prevented, businesses and households will continue to shoulder the economic cost of an electricity system unable to guarantee dependable supply.