The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed the recent decline in electricity supply across the country to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants and reduced water levels at hydroelectric stations.
The operator said the constraints had limited electricity generation, reduced power allocations to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and increased load shedding, leaving consumers with fewer hours of electricity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, NISO explained that inadequate gas supply had prevented affected thermal power plants from operating at their available capacity, while reduced water inflows into reservoirs had constrained electricity generation from hydroelectric stations.
It said the combined challenges had reduced the volume of electricity available for distribution to consumers 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 impacted the generation capacity of hydroelectric power stations,” the operator stated.
NISO added that the impact of the supply constraints varied across distribution networks, depending on the volume of electricity available and the allocations received by individual DisCos.
Acknowledging the hardship caused by the decline in power supply, the operator assured Nigerians that it was taking measures to maintain grid stability and optimise the distribution of available electricity.
It also said it was pursuing efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix while ensuring the secure and efficient operation of the national grid despite the prevailing challenges.
“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, added.
The latest development comes amid recurring electricity supply disruptions affecting households and businesses across the country, with several electricity distribution companies issuing explanations and apologies over the outages.
In March 2026, Ikeja Electric attributed worsening electricity supply in Lagos to inadequate gas deliveries to thermal power plants, which reduced allocations to distribution companies and resulted in intermittent outages and load shedding.
Similarly, the Ministry of Power apologised to Nigerians in March over weeks of widespread power outages, attributing the generation shortfall partly to gas supply challenges linked to outstanding debts owed to suppliers.
The ministry also proposed increased investment in renewable energy as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on gas-fired power plants.
