Nigeria’s electricity sector recorded a troubling contradiction in October as power plants generated electricity at high utilisation rates, yet the national grid still operated outside approved stability thresholds, raising concerns about the resilience of the transmission network.
According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the national grid breached prescribed frequency and voltage limits during the month, even though generating stations utilised about 85 per cent of their available capacity.
The regulator disclosed in its October 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet that grid frequency fell below and rose above acceptable operational levels. Average lower frequency was recorded at 49.46Hz, while the upper frequency reached 50.66Hz, both outside the approved range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.
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Voltage levels also exceeded regulatory limits. NERC reported an average lower voltage of 305.00kV and an average upper voltage of 353.94kV, compared with the approved range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.
The development suggests that while power plants were able to generate electricity efficiently, the broader grid infrastructure continued to face operational challenges in maintaining stable electricity delivery across the network.
NERC’s data showed that the country’s average available generation capacity stood at 4,744 megawatts in October, representing a decline from the previous month. Average hourly generation also dropped slightly to 4,047MW. Despite the decline, the average load factor rose to 85 per cent, indicating that most of the available generation capacity was put to use.
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Among the major generating stations, Jebba Hydroelectric Plant recorded the highest utilisation level, operating at 99 per cent of its available capacity. Omotosho followed with 97 per cent, while Afam achieved 94 per cent. Egbin, Ihovbor, Shiroro, Delta, Kainji and Okpai also posted strong performance figures.
Industry observers note that stable electricity supply depends not only on generation but also on the ability of transmission infrastructure to manage voltage and frequency within acceptable ranges. When these parameters drift beyond limits, the risk of grid disturbances and supply disruptions can increase.
The latest figures underscore a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s power sector: improving the reliability of the grid while making full use of available generation resources. Although power stations showed strong operational performance in October, the breaches recorded on the grid suggest that stability remains a critical concern for regulators, operators and electricity consumers alike.
