By Radarr Africa Business Desk
LAGOS, November 12 (Radarr Africa) – Nigeria’s national grid operated at 85 per cent capacity utilisation in October, even as average available generation capacity fell 5.85 per cent to 4,744 megawatts, according to the October 2026 operational performance factsheet of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), published on Wednesday, November 11.
Average hourly generation declined 1.02 per cent to 4,047 megawatts, while the average load factor rose 4.16 per cent. The commission’s data show the grid operating with little spare margin.
Grid quality remained outside prescribed limits. The average lower grid frequency was 49.46 hertz and the average upper frequency was 50.66 hertz, against prescribed limits of 49.75 to 50.25 hertz. The average lower grid voltage was 305.00 kilovolts and the average upper voltage was 353.94 kilovolts, against prescribed limits of 313.50 to 346.50 kilovolts.
Among the larger stations, Jebba Hydro recorded the highest load factor at 99 per cent, delivering 423 megawatts of its 429 megawatts available. Omotosho 1 posted 97 per cent, at 179 megawatts of 183 megawatts, and Afam 2 recorded 94 per cent, at 371 megawatts of 395 megawatts. Egbin 1 and Ihovbor 2 each reached 93 per cent, Shiroro Hydro 89 per cent, and Delta 1 and Kainji Hydro 84 per cent each. Okpai 1 recorded 78 per cent. Odukpani 1 had the lowest load factor among the high-output stations at 66 per cent, delivering 202 megawatts of 305 megawatts.
Among smaller plants, Kashimbila Hydro and Olorunsogo 1 reached 99 per cent and 97 per cent respectively, Sapele Steam 1 recorded 95 per cent, and Trans Amadi 1 and Dadin Kowa 1 operated at full capacity. Zungeru Hydro delivered 168 megawatts of 261 megawatts, a load factor of 65 per cent.
Underperformers included Afam 1, at 32 per cent. Alaoji 1 recorded no output and zero available capacity, while Ibom Power 1 also had no output.
The figures come as government moves on transmission. Power Minister Olasunkanmi Tegbe confirmed on November 9 that the government has approved $2 billion for a proposed East-West Super Grid linking Funtua, Gwagwalada, Ikot-Ekpene, Benin, Epe and Ilorin, designed for transmission capacity of up to 19,000 megawatts, with construction expected to take 18 to 24 months. He said procurement has started.
Tegbe said a government assessment identified problems with towers, conductors, insulators and relays on the existing network, and that restoring the Oshogbo to Ikeja West line could add about 400 megawatts to the Lagos network. He said plants of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, with installed capacity above 3,000 megawatts, currently contribute about 400 megawatts to national supply because of gas shortages, operational difficulties and financial constraints.
On debt to generation companies, Tegbe said N1.23 trillion of about N3.3 trillion owed has been paid, leaving about N2 trillion outstanding, which the government intends to settle in 2027. The Electricity Act of 2023 allows state governments and private companies to take part in parts of the electricity value chain, and Lagos, Ogun, Abia and Enugu are exploring independent power projects, mini grids and gas-fired generation
