Federal Government Announces Three-Day Power Outage Across Five States
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant three-day power outage affecting five states as planned maintenance at a major gas facility is set to temporarily remove 934.96 megawatts from the national grid. This substantial reduction represents approximately 19.67 percent of Nigeria's current available generation capacity of 4,753.10MW, raising serious concerns about potential nationwide load shedding during the maintenance period.
Scheduled Maintenance Details and Timeline
The Nigerian Independent System Operator disclosed this development in an official statement titled "Anticipated Gas Supply Constraints and Potential Load Management Measures." According to the grid operator, the scheduled maintenance will temporarily restrict gas supply to several critical thermal power plants connected to the national electricity network.
The gas facility maintenance is officially scheduled to run from February 12 to February 15, 2026, with full gas supply expected to resume on February 16. The system operator has formally communicated this planned shutdown to electricity market participants and the general public, noting that while the maintenance is temporary, its impact on generation output could be substantial due to Nigeria's heavy reliance on thermal plants powered by natural gas.
Major Power Plants Affected by Supply Cuts
Several major generation companies are expected to experience direct supply cuts during this maintenance period. The affected facilities include:
- Egbin Power Plc
- Azura Power
- Sapele Power Plc
- Transcorp Power Plc
Additionally, other significant power plants such as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company's Sapele facility, Olorunsogo Power Plant, and Omotosho Power Plant may experience indirect disruptions due to broader gas network balancing challenges. Since Nigeria's power grid operates as an interconnected system, supply shortfalls at these major generation points typically ripple across multiple states, potentially affecting areas beyond those directly connected to the maintenance-impacted facilities.
Potential Load Shedding and Consumer Impact
With nearly one-fifth of available generation capacity at risk during the maintenance window, electricity distribution companies may be forced to implement structured load shedding across affected regions. Priority is expected to be given to critical infrastructure including hospitals, security installations, water supply systems, and other essential services. Residential and commercial consumers could face extended outages during this three-day period.
The grid operator has assured stakeholders that the situation is strictly temporary and directly tied to the scheduled technical work on the gas facility. Once maintenance is completed and gas supply normalizes on February 16, generation capacity is expected to rebound to normal levels. For now, consumers in the affected states are advised to prepare for potential disruptions and manage their power usage accordingly as the national grid navigates these temporary supply constraints.
Broader Context of Nigeria's Power Challenges
This maintenance-related power reduction comes amid ongoing challenges in Nigeria's electricity sector. The country's heavy dependence on gas-fired thermal plants makes it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in gas supply infrastructure. The announcement follows recent reports about identification requirements for electricity customers and other regulatory developments affecting power distribution.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with electricity generation and distribution challenges, such planned maintenance activities highlight the delicate balance between necessary infrastructure upkeep and maintaining consistent power supply to consumers across the nation.
