BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

Nigeria’s electricity generation increased to 4,020.41 megawatts (MW) on Monday from 3,500MW, but the improvement has yet to translate into adequate power supply for consumers across the country.

The persistent outages have also raised concerns following the expiration of the 72-hour deadline given last Thursday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, to restore normal electricity supply.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that 20 power plants were connected to the national grid as of 1pm on Monday, generating a combined 4,020.41MW.

Although the figure was below Sunday’s peak generation of 4,253.6MW, it exceeded the off-peak output of 3,862.17MW.

Last Thursday, electricity generation had fallen to 3,659MW from 3,996MW recorded the previous day, worsening supply conditions in several parts of the country.

The Ministry of Power had ruled out a major or systemic national grid failure, attributing the disruptions to maintenance and operational challenges across the electricity value chain, as well as declining generation.

An analysis of Monday’s output showed that Afam VI recorded the highest contribution at 519MW, followed by Shiroro Hydropower Plant with 445MW and Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant with 438MW. Egbin Power Plant, despite its installed capacity of 1,320MW, generated only 108MW.

Meanwhile, the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) received a combined allocation of 3,195MW as of 5:07pm on Monday.

Abuja DisCo received 581MW, followed by Ikeja with 467MW, Eko with 458MW and Ibadan with 359MW. Port Harcourt received 294MW, Benin 243MW, Enugu 233MW, Kano 173MW, Kaduna 167MW, Jos 146MW and Yola 74MW.

Providing an update, Tegbe said electricity had been restored to many communities affected by the recent disruptions, particularly in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

He disclosed that repairs had been completed on the vandalised Benin-Egbin 330kV transmission line, which had been returned to service, helping to increase electricity supply to the Lagos Complex to more than 1,000MW. However, he acknowledged that some locations were still experiencing outages.

The minister, speaking on a TVC programme, apologised to affected Nigerians and assured them that the government was working to improve the situation.

He also revealed that the Federal Government had paid N1.23 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos), leaving an outstanding balance of approximately N2 trillion, which the government hopes to settle next year.

According to Tegbe, Nigeria’s installed electricity generation capacity of 13,625MW currently translates into actual output of only about 5,000MW.

He further disclosed that the government was pursuing a $2 billion East-West Super Grid project designed to support the evacuation of up to 19,000MW, with procurement ongoing and completion targeted within two years.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, has apologised to Nigerians over the prolonged power outages, acknowledging the hardship caused by weeks of inadequate supply.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Oduntan cautioned electricity sector operators against returning to the blame game, which previously characterised relations among distribution companies, transmission operators, generation companies and gas suppliers.

He urged stakeholders to establish the actual causes of the disruptions, particularly concerns surrounding gas supply and outstanding payments to suppliers.

Similarly, former Managing Director of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Rumundaka Wonodi, called for sustained investment and long-term planning to address the country’s electricity challenges.

Speaking on Arise News, Wonodi maintained that resolving the crisis would require consistent implementation of long-term reforms rather than hurried, short-term interventions, stressing that Nigeria needs significantly more electricity than it currently generates and distributes.

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