Nigeria power supply: longer blackouts as gas shortage and low water levels cut electricity output

Nigerians in many parts of the country are getting fewer hours of electricity after power generation fell because of gas shortages and low water levels at hydro dams.

Figures from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which manages the national grid, show that the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) were allocated a combined 2,926 megawatts. That is a small amount for a country of more than 200 million people, and it has led DisCos to ration supply through load shedding.

NISO blamed the drop on two main problems: not enough gas reaching thermal power plants, which produce most of Nigeria's electricity, and lower inflows of water into the reservoirs that drive hydro stations.

Generation stood at about 3,689 megawatts at the latest reading, which suggests some recovery may be under way.

The Ministry of Power said maintenance and operational problems had also played a part. The ministry, now led by Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, said it was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NISO and the DisCos to fix the faults and restore normal supply.