Seven power plants across Nigeria may experience gas supply constraints following the planned shutdown of a major facility by Seplat Energy for scheduled maintenance, raising concerns over potential electricity shortages and blackouts.
In a notice issued on Thursday, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) informed electricity market participants and consumers that the maintenance, slated for February 12 to 15, 2026, will temporarily reduce gas availability to several thermal power plants connected to the national grid.
The system operator stated that critical national infrastructure and essential services would be prioritised if load management or shedding becomes necessary during the period.
Power stations projected to be directly affected include Egbin, Azura, Sapele and Transcorp plants. Others—NDPHC Sapele, Olorunsogo and Omotosho—are expected to experience indirect constraints due to network-wide gas balancing effects.
The planned maintenance will affect gas supply into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) pipeline network, leading to a temporary reduction in thermal generation capacity on the grid.
In a separate statement issued by NISO management and the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, Andy Odeh, it was confirmed that gas supply to seven grid-connected plants would be curtailed during the four-day exercise.
Earlier assessments by NISO indicate that the maintenance could result in a generation shortfall of about 934.96 megawatts. This represents approximately 19.67 per cent of the combined available thermal and hydro generation capacity of 4,753.10MW currently on the grid.
“The Nigerian Independent System Operator hereby informs the general public and all electricity market participants of anticipated gas supply constraints affecting some major thermal power generating stations connected to the national grid,” the notice stated.
It added that full gas supply is expected to be restored on February 16, 2026.
NISO, which recently assumed the role of independent system operator under Nigeria’s restructured electricity market framework, said it would implement real-time operational measures to preserve grid integrity during the maintenance window.
“In line with its statutory mandate, NISO will deploy appropriate real-time operational measures to safeguard the integrity and security of the national grid throughout the maintenance window,” the statement noted.
The operator emphasised that any load shedding, if required, would be conducted in a structured and transparent manner in collaboration with distribution companies. Priority would be given to critical infrastructure, essential services and security installations.
Nigeria’s electricity grid remains heavily dependent on thermal power plants, which account for more than 70 per cent of installed generation capacity. These plants run primarily on natural gas supplied through pipelines and upstream processing facilities concentrated in the Niger Delta.
Despite holding the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, Nigeria continues to face recurring electricity disruptions due to supply bottlenecks, pipeline vandalism, infrastructure maintenance and payment challenges within the power value chain.
