The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed the latest decline in electricity supply across the country to inadequate gas supplies to thermal power plants and reduced water levels at hydroelectric stations.
It said the constraints had reduced thermal generation and power allocations to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), leading to increased load shedding and fewer hours of electricity for consumers.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, NISO said gas shortages had prevented affected thermal plants from operating at available capacity, while reduced water inflows into reservoirs had limited hydroelectric generation.
The system operator said the combined constraints had reduced the amount of electricity available for distribution nationwide.
“The limited availability of gas has constrained the capacity of affected thermal generating stations to operate at their available levels, while reduced water inflows into reservoirs have affected the generation capacity of hydroelectric power stations,” it said.
NISO added that the impact on consumers varied across distribution networks, depending on the amount of electricity available and the allocations received by individual DisCos.
The operator acknowledged the hardship caused by the decline in supply and said it was working to maintain grid stability and optimise the distribution of available electricity.
NISO said it was also working to diversify the country’s energy mix while ensuring the secure and efficient operation of the national grid despite the constraints.
“While we are actively working on the diversification of our energy mix for the national grid to ensure security of supply, NISO remains committed to maintaining grid stability, optimising the dispatch of available generation, and ensuring the secure, reliable and efficient operation of the national grid within prevailing operational constraints,” the statement, signed by the operator’s management, said.
The decline comes amid supply disruptions affecting households and businesses, with electricity distribution companies issuing statements to explain the problems and apologise to consumers.
In March 2026, Ikeja Electric attributed worsening power supply in Lagos to inadequate gas deliveries to thermal power plants, which reduced allocations to distribution companies and led to intermittent outages and load shedding.
That month, the Ministry of Power also apologised to Nigerians for weeks of widespread outages, attributing the generation shortfall partly to gas supply problems linked to debts owed to suppliers. The ministry also proposed increased investment in renewable energy to reduce dependence on gas-fired plants.
