Nigeria's power plants connected to the grid operated at an average of 86% of their available capacity in August 2026. This information was released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in its August 2026 factsheet. The report highlighted that the average available capacity was 4,758 megawatts (MW), with an average hourly generation of 4,102MW. This left about 656MW of available capacity unutilised on average during the month.
Several power plants demonstrated high utilisation rates during August. Kainji_1, for instance, posted the highest load factors among major plants, generating 345MW from 352MW available, which translates to 98%. Similarly, Afam_2 generated 262MW from 265MW, achieving 99% utilisation. Egbin_1 operated at 96%, producing 333MW from 347MW available. Additionally, Ihovbor_2 recorded 92%, generating 418MW from 454MW. These figures indicate efficient operation at several key power plants.
Other notable performances included Delta_1 at 80%, Zungeru_1 at 72%, Odukpani_1 at 74%, Shiroro_1 at 87%, Jebba_1 at 83%, and Okpai_1 at 87%. Some plants achieved full utilisation, with Olorunsogo_1, Omoku_1, and Igbafo_1 each recording 100%. Omotosho_1 generated 148MW from 149MW available, achieving 99%, while Dadin-Kowa_1 recorded 98%, generating 35MW from 36MW. These high utilisation rates suggest that many plants were operating close to their maximum capacities.
However, not all plants performed at the same level. Lower utilisation was recorded at Afam_1 (67%), Ikeja_1 (76%), and Ihovbor_1 (79%). Olorunsogo_2 generated 87MW from 109MW available, and Sapele_1 generated 25MW from 27MW. Furthermore, Sapele_2, Alaoji_1, Geregu_2, and Ibom Power_1 recorded zero generation during the month. The varied performance across plants highlights the complexities in power generation and distribution.
Despite the high utilisation rate of power plants, NERC reported breaches of prescribed grid frequency and voltage limits during August. The average lower grid frequency stood at 49.34Hz, and the average upper grid frequency at 50.67Hz, both outside the prescribed operating range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz. Additionally, the commission recorded an average lower grid voltage of 302.29 kilovolts (kV) and an average upper grid voltage of 349.68kV, exceeding the prescribed range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.
The August figures indicate that while Nigeria's grid-connected power plants achieved a relatively high utilisation of available generating capacity, there were notable operational concerns. The breaches in grid frequency and voltage limits suggest that maintaining optimal operating conditions remains a challenge. Addressing these issues will be crucial for ensuring a stable and efficient power supply.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's report underscores the need for continued monitoring and improvement in the power sector. By addressing the operational concerns and working towards optimal performance across all plants, Nigeria can enhance its power generation and distribution capabilities. This will be essential for meeting the country's energy demands and supporting economic growth.
Key points
- Nigeria's power plants operated at 86% capacity in August 2026.
- Several power plants achieved high utilisation rates, with some operating at or near full capacity.
- Breaches in grid frequency and voltage limits were recorded, highlighting operational concerns in the power sector.
