- Nigeria’s power generation fell 45.4% to 2,777.04 MW, raising concerns about the energy sector’s stability.
- NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba urged DISCO investors to find solutions, while experts called for better pricing and subsidy removal.
Power generation in Nigeria saw a dramatic 45.4% decline yesterday, dropping to 2,777.04 megawatts (MW) after reaching a peak of 5,040.72 MW earlier in the week. Data from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator (NESO), a semi-autonomous unit of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), indicated that the national grid’s output dipped to 4,370.14 MW around midday before plummeting further in the evening.
Despite recent billing adjustments for Band A power consumers, this decline highlights ongoing power sector challenges. Industry experts attribute the power generation issues to insufficient gas supplies for thermal stations and the deteriorating condition of transmission lines.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu recently announced that the national grid had achieved a peak generation of 5,313 MW on Monday, 16 2024, claiming it as a record high for the last three years. However, it was revealed that the grid closed at 3,940.49 MW that night, with a maximum generation of 4,805.59 MW recorded at 8:00 p.m.
Amidst this backdrop of declining power generation, Sanusi Garba, Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), called on investors and owners of Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to prioritise solutions over excuses. During a meeting with DISCO stakeholders, Garba emphasised the need for transformational ideas and regulatory interventions to facilitate positive changes in the sector.
Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director and convener of Power Up Nigeria, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of aligning electricity generation with market demand. He advocated for a proper pricing strategy for electricity, suggesting removing subsidies and exploring institutional financing to improve metering systems.
“We should stop treating electricity like a national cake that must be distributed to everyone,” Adegbemle stated, urging a more liberalised sector to enhance electricity access nationwide. He argued that an energy-poor nation is fundamentally poor, advocating for reforms enabling rapid development and improving living conditions.
As Nigeria grapples with its energy challenges, the urgent need for innovative solutions and regulatory support is becoming increasingly apparent. The electricity supply industry stakeholders are urged to collaborate effectively to drive significant improvements in power generation and distribution, ultimately ensuring a more reliable energy supply for all Nigerians.