Nigeria’s power plants operated at 86% capacity in August — NERC

The latest operational performance report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has shown that Nigeria’s grid-connected power plants operated at an average of 86 per cent of their available capacity in August 2026.

This was one of the major highlights of the NERC’s August 2026 factsheet report published on Thursday. The report showed that Nigeria’s power plants had an average available capacity of 4,758 megawatts (MW) during the month under review, while average hourly generation was pegged at 4,102MW.

According to the report, about 656MW of the available generation capacity was not utilised on average during the period.

Among the major energy producers, Kainji_1 recorded a 98 per cent load factor, generating 345MW out of 352MW available capacity, while Afam_2 recorded 99 per cent, with 262MW generated against 265MW available.

It said Egbin_1 operated at 96 per cent, generating 333MW from 347MW of available capacity, while Ihovbor_2 recorded 92 per cent, generating 418MW from 454MW of available capacity.

Other major plants listed included Delta_1 at 80 per cent load factor, Zungeru_1 at 72 per cent, Odukpani_1 at 74 per cent, Shiroro_1 at 87 per cent, Jebba_1 at 83 per cent, and Okpai_1 at 87 per cent.

Frequency, voltage stability breached limits

Despite the relatively high utilisation rate, NERC reported breaches of prescribed grid frequency and voltage limits during the month.

The commission said the average lower grid frequency was 49.34Hz, while the average upper grid frequency was 50.67Hz, exceeding the prescribed operating range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.

Similarly, it noted that the monthly average lower grid voltage was recorded at 302.29 kilovolts (kV), while the average upper grid voltage stood at 349.68kV.

NERC said both figures exceeded the prescribed voltage range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.

The data showed significant differences in plant utilisation.

Olorunsogo_1 recorded a 100 per cent load factor, generating 115MW from 115MW of available capacity. Omoku_1 and Igbafо_1 also recorded 100 per cent utilisation.

Omotosho_1 generated 148MW from 149MW available, representing a 99 per cent load factor, while Dadin-Kowa_1 recorded 98 per cent after generating 35MW from 36MW available.

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However, some plants recorded substantially lower utilisation. Afam_1 operated at 67 per cent, while Ikeja_1 recorded 76 per cent and Ihovbor_1 79 per cent.

Several listed plants recorded zero generation during the month, including Sapele_2, Alaoji_1, Geregu_2 and Ibom Power_1.

The commission’s data also showed that Olorunsogo_2 generated 87MW from 109MW available, while Sapele_1 generated 25MW from 27MW available.

Overall, the August figures indicate a grid operating at relatively high utilisation of available generating capacity, while frequency and voltage excursions remained notable operational issues.