Power Grid
Nigeria’s grid-connected generation companies (GenCos) generated an average of 4,089 megawatts (MW) in September 2026, using 81 per cent of the 5,038MW available capacity, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said.
The figures were contained in NERC’s September 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet, which showed a gap of about 949MW between available capacity and actual generation.
Compared with August, NERC reported that average available capacity rose by 5.89 per cent, while average hourly generation fell by 0.30 per cent. It added that the average load factor, which measures how much of available capacity was used, dropped by 5.04 per cent.
Among the top energy producers, the commission said Kainji_1 recorded the highest load factor at 98 per cent, generating 341MW out of 347MW available. It stated that Egbin_1 and Afam_2 each recorded 94 per cent, with Egbin_1 delivering 402MW out of 429MW and Afam_2 delivering 337MW out of 358MW.
NERC reported that Ihovbor_2 followed at 91 per cent (343MW of 376MW) and Shiroro_1 at 86 per cent (388MW of 450MW). The regulator said Delta_1 and Jebba_1 each recorded 79 per cent, Odukpani_1 recorded 70 per cent and Okpai_1 68 per cent.
It noted that Zungeru_1 had the lowest load factor among the top producers at 61 per cent, generating 358MW out of 587MW available.
Among other grid-connected plants, NERC said Olorunsogo_1 ran at 100 per cent. It added that Omotosho_1 and Omoku_1 each recorded 95 per cent, Geregu_1 90 per cent and Kashambila 89 per cent.
The commission stated that Trans Amadi_1 and Dadin-Kowa_1 were each marked at 100 per cent or more. NERC explained that load factors at or above 100 per cent occur when generation companies are directed by the System Operator to produce above their declared steady-state availability to maintain grid stability.
It reported that Alaoji_1, Ibom Power_1 and Rivers_1 recorded zero available capacity and zero generation for the month.
On grid quality, NERC said the system operated outside prescribed limits during the month. It stated that the average lower grid frequency was 49.43Hz and the average upper frequency was 50.69Hz, against the prescribed range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.
The regulator added that the monthly average lower grid voltage was 304.90kV and the average upper voltage was 350.28kV, against the prescribed range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.
NERC defined the load factor as the ratio of the average electricity generated over a period to the maximum possible generation.
