Power Crisis Deepens: National Grid Generation Plunges 11% to 2,898 MW Amid Persistent Gas Shortages
Nigeria's electricity woes have intensified, with power generation on the national grid dropping significantly to 2,898 megawatts (MW) yesterday, marking an 11% decline from 3,222 MW recorded earlier in the week. Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reveals the alarming trend, which officials attribute to ongoing gas supply constraints severely impacting thermal power stations—the backbone of the country's electricity mix. According to NISO statements, as of 05:00 hours on Thursday, March 5, 2026, total generation stood at 3,940.53 MW, already well below expected levels due to gas limitations. Several generating units were forced to shut down between 06:00 and 08:00 hours that day because of inadequate gas deliveries, resulting in a cumulative loss of approximately 292 MW during that period alone. Thermal plants require an estimated 1,588.61 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate optimally, but persistent shortages—exacerbated by pip...