Nigeria’s electricity grid operated with low generation availability and experienced recurring system instability in January 2026, according to the Operational Performance Factsheet released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Details from the report, obtained from NERC’s official X handle, showed that grid-connected power plants functioned significantly below their installed capacity throughout the month, raising concerns about supply reliability and system stability.
Although Nigeria’s total installed generation capacity stood at 13,625 megawatts (MW), only an average of 4,901MW was available for dispatch, resulting in a Plant Availability Factor (PAF) of 36 per cent. The commission noted that at any given time during the month, the grid had limited available capacity, reflecting persistent operational and technical constraints within the power sector.
NERC also reported deviations in grid frequency, indicating instability in system operations. “The grid-connected plants recorded a Plant Availability Factor (PAF) of 36%. At any time during the month, an average of 4,901MW was available for dispatch into the grid. The average lower grid frequency (49.03Hz) and average upper grid frequency (50.66Hz) during the month exceeded the prescribed limits of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz,” the commission stated.
Despite the low generation availability, demand for electricity remained strong. The Average Load Factor was recorded at 90 per cent, meaning approximately 4,421 megawatt-hours per hour of available power was dispatched and consumed.
This, according to the report, highlights tight reserves within the system and underscores the gap between installed capacity and actual deliverable power.
The findings further point to ongoing structural and operational challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector, with experts stressing the need for improved plant performance, enhanced grid management, and sustained investment in generation and transmission infrastructure to ensure stable and reliable power supply nationwide.
