While Nigeria struggles with insufficient electricity to meet the needs of households and enterprises, more than 8,000 megawatts (MW) of pow...
While Nigeria struggles with insufficient electricity to meet the needs of households and enterprises, more than 8,000 megawatts (MW) of power remains unused in the facilities of the 28 electricity generation companies linked to the national grid.
As per the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria's 28 power stations have a total capacity of generating 13,625MW of electricity, yet due to various issues, only about 5,395.72MW is typically generated each hour.
Although the country is said to require more than 30,000MW to support its economy and a population exceeding 200 million, only 3,781.94MW actually reaches households and businesses due to inefficiencies in the transmission network and distribution companies (DisCos).
For example, approximately nine percent of the electricity produced on the grid fails to reach the distribution companies during the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the DisCos rejected an average of 191.49MW of electricity per hour in the first quarter of 2025 and 79.59MW in the second quarter.
Generation plants' output and their capabilities
According to NERC data, Nigeria's largest power station is the Egbin plant, which has a generation capacity of 1320MW. However, during the first quarter of 2025, the plant produced an average of 607.83MW, rising to 709.26MW in the second quarter.
This is followed by the Delta plant, which has a capacity of 900MW. It produced 489.80MW in Q1, decreasing to 440.83MW in Q2. Next is the Kainji plant, with a capacity of 760MW, generating 501.58MW in Q1 and 473.65MW in Q2.
Following is the Olorunsogo plant 2, which has a capacity of 750MW but only produced 37.43MW in Q1, then saw a slight rise to 46.95MW in Q2. Next is the Afam plant 1, with a capacity of 726MW, which generated 73.48MW in Q1 and increased to 59.92MW in Q2.
Additionally, the Sapele Steam Plant 1 has a capacity of 720MW but generated 39.61MW in the first quarter and 31.26MW in the second quarter, whereas the Zungeru plant has a capacity of 700MW but produced 345.70MW in the first quarter and 453.19MW in the second quarter.
The Afam Power Plant 2 has a capacity of 650MW and generated 246.63MW in the first quarter, but this dropped to 223.79MW. Odukpani_1 has a capacity of 625MW and produced 346.87MW in Q1 and 223.22MW in Q2. Meanwhile, the Shiroro plant has a capacity of 600MW, generating 332.86MW in Q1 and 346.11MW in Q2.
Jebba also has a capacity of 578MW, but generated 447.15MW in the first quarter and 433.18MW in the second quarter. The Ihovbor Plant 1 can generate up to 500MW but produced only 51.32MW in Q1 and 67.16MW in Q2. Meanwhile, the Omotosho Plant 2, which has a capacity of 500MW, generated just 60.85MW in Q1 and 59.89MW in Q2.
The Alaoji plant, which has a 500MW capacity, generated nothing during the period. Meanwhile, the Sapele plant 2, also with a 500MW capacity, produced only 97.91MW in Q1 and 105.46MW in Q2. The Okpai plant has a 480MW capacity but produced 282.72MW in Q1 and 250.42MW in Q2. The Ihovbor plant 2, with a 461MW capacity, generated 446.36MW in Q1 and 448.90MW in Q2.
Geregu Plant 1 has a capacity of 435MW, but generated 138.03MW in the first quarter, rising to 288.66MW in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Geregu Plant 2 also has a capacity of 435MW, producing 227.29MW in the first quarter and 220.77MW in the second quarter.
The Omotosho plant, which has a 335MW capacity, generated 166.05MW in Q1 and 145.33MW in Q2, while the Olorunsogo plant, also with a 335MW capacity, produced 161.81MW in Q1 and 137.93MW in Q2. Ibom Power, having a 190MW capacity, generated 23.46MW in Q1 and 28.87MW in Q2, with the Rivers plant producing 52.86MW in Q1 and 26.58MW in Q2 from its 180MW capacity.
The Omoku plant has a 150MW capacity but generated 38.85MW in the first quarter and 21.48MW in the second quarter, whereas Ikeja has an 110MW capacity and produced 109.10MW in Q1 and 109.28MW in Q2.
The Trans Amadi plant, which has a 100MW capacity, generated 4.75MW in the first quarter and 5.93MW in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Igbafo plant, with a 45MW capacity, produced 20.23MW in Q1 and 20.22MW in Q2. The Dadin-Kowa plant, having a 40MW capacity, generated 16.36MW in the first quarter and 17.49MW in the second quarter.
Why is electricity production halted at power plants?
As per NERC, the electricity produced by power plants varies depending on grid demand, the mechanical functionality of the unit(s), and the supply of fuel.
It mentioned that plants only release energy when the grid's demand is high enough to absorb the power, while maintaining the grid within safe technical parameters.
It outlined the elements that influence a plant's dispatch, such as plant availability (mechanical and feedstock), the grid's load offtake, and the plant's financial viability within the economic merit order dispatch.
"We aim to double the capacity overnight. We seek to enhance power for the people. We believe it is disgraceful for a population this talented," he stated.
Additionally, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently mentioned that the failure to boost electricity demand on the national grid has caused generation to be restricted between 5,000 and 4,000 megawatts (MW) by the 28 power generation companies linked to the grid.
Adelabu mentioned that even though 28 companies have more than 13,000MW of installed capacity and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has 8,000MW of evacuation capability, power generation companies are unable to exceed the current level of 4,500MW because demand does not surpass this amount.
In Nigeria, although we haven't managed to generate more than 5,000 megawatts, the key factor is the demand, as we possess the necessary capacity. The transmission grid can handle 8,500 and is also expanding its capabilities. However, demand must match both generation and consumption at all times. That's why we are urging state regulators and distribution companies to boost consumption. This is the only way that establishing a state market would make a difference in the market.
More funding is required for the transmission and distribution sub-sector
However, in addition to power plants producing more than the existing 5,000MW, Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, mentioned that there are other issues that would hinder consumers from receiving the additional electricity.
He mentioned that the first transmission line can only carry 8,000MW produced on the grid, noting that the government will need to construct additional transmission lines in order to transport the full 13,000MW that the power plants are capable of generating.
He mentioned that, regarding the current situation, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently lacking sufficient funds and is in critical condition to ensure efficient electricity transmission.
He mentioned that the transmission sub-sector, although acting as a connection between the north and south, as well as between generation upstream and distribution downstream, does not have the necessary resources to perform automated vegetation management.
He also highlighted the insufficient funding for line tracing and fault inspection of the current infrastructure.
A significant number of transmission towers affected by erosion remain unrepaired because there is insufficient funding available for their reinforcement.
There is a greater occurrence of outdated transmission lines within the grid. Therefore, the sub-sector in its current condition is similar to operating a vehicle or generator without any plans and without regularly allocating funds for maintenance.
On the distribution front, he mentioned that DisCos will consistently focus on regions where they can recover their costs for additional electricity, as there are certain areas where DisCos fail to recover 30 percent of their income even when supplying power for 24 hours.
That's why you observe that most DisCos around the globe, even in areas where energy is accessible, experience what is known as load rejection, as they are assessing their capacity. Hence, they evaluate the commercial feasibility of their customers.
Therefore, the problem lies in energy theft, refusal to accept load, and the lack of appropriate equipment intended for managing the grid network, system operations, and control.
He mentioned that it is essential for the DisCos to invest in expanding their service areas, as without additional customers connected to the grid, electricity will continue to be rejected unless the existing distribution networks are extended.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
