Nigeria’s Power Generation Struggles: Plants Operate at 38% Capacity in September
Nigeria’s power grid continues to grapple with persistent challenges related to reliability and efficiency, hindering its ability to meet the nation’s energy needs. A recent report released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revealed a concerning trend in September 2025. The Operational Performance Factsheet, shared on the NERC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, indicated that the grid-connected power generation plants operated at a mere 38% average Plant Availability Factor (PAF). This signifies that less than half of Nigeria’s installed power capacity was actually available for dispatch to consumers.
Analyzing the Capacity Constraints
Despite a considerable installed capacity of 13,625 megawatts (MW), the country could only generate an average of approximately 5,200 MW during September. This discrepancy highlights the significant gap between Nigeria’s potential for power generation and its current capacity to deliver electricity to its citizens and businesses. However, the report also offers a positive insight. When power was available, it was efficiently utilized. The Average Load Factor stood at 78%, indicating that the majority of the available generation capacity was actively dispatched and consumed. This demonstrates that Nigerians are keen to use electricity; the core issue lies in the consistent availability of power supply.
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