The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says the national power grid breached prescribed frequency and voltage limits in September 2026, indicating continued instability in the electricity system.
NERC disclosed this in its September 2026 Fact Sheet on the operational performance of power plants.
According to the commission, the average lower grid frequency during the month fell to 49.43Hz, below the prescribed range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz, while the average upper frequency rose to 50.69Hz, also exceeding the limit.
The commission also reported that the average lower grid voltage stood at 304.90kV, below the prescribed range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV, while the average upper voltage climbed to 350.28kV, exceeding the upper limit.
NERC said the deviations reflected breaches of the prescribed operating limits for both grid frequency and voltage during the month.
Despite the instability, the nation’s power plants recorded an average available generation capacity of 5,038MW, while average hourly generation stood at 4,089MW, representing an 81 per cent average load factor.
The commission said the average available capacity increased by 5.89 per cent compared with August, while average hourly generation declined marginally by 0.30 per cent.
Among the top energy producers, Kainji Power Plant recorded the highest load factor at 98 per cent, generating an average of 341 MW from 347MW available capacity.
It was followed by Egbin Power Plant and Afam II, each with a 94 per cent load factor, while Ihovbor II recorded 91 per cent.
Other plants included Shiroro at 86 per cent, Delta at 79 per cent, Jebba at 79 per cent, Odukpani at 70 per cent, and Okpai at 68 per cent.
The September data also showed that Olorunsogo I operated at a 100 per cent load factor, generating an average of 121 MW from its available capacity, while Omotosho I recorded 95 per cent.
