Nigeria’s national grid operated outside its prescribed frequency and voltage limits throughout the reporting period in October 2026, despite electricity generation companies utilising 85 per cent of their available capacity, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The development has raised fresh concerns about the stability of the country’s electricity network, particularly as households and businesses continue to experience inconsistent power supply despite improvements in the utilisation of available generating capacity.
NERC disclosed the figures in its October 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet, published on November 11, which examined the performance of grid-connected power plants and key operational indicators during the month.
The report showed that average available generation capacity stood at 4,744 megawatts (MW), while average hourly electricity generation reached 4,047MW. This represented an average utilisation rate of 85 per cent, indicating that power plants generated most of the electricity they could produce with the capacity available to them.
However, the report also highlighted significant deviations in the frequency and voltage levels required for the national grid to operate within its prescribed limits.
Nigeria’s National Grid Records Frequency and Voltage Deviations
According to NERC, the national grid recorded an average lower frequency of 49.46 hertz (Hz) and an average upper frequency of 50.66Hz during October, exceeding the prescribed operational range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.
The commission also reported deviations in grid voltage, with the average lower voltage standing at 305 kilovolts (kV), while the average upper voltage reached 353.94kV. Both figures fell outside the approved operating range of 313.50kV to 346.50kV.
Frequency and voltage are important indicators of electricity network stability because they help determine whether the system can maintain a consistent supply while balancing electricity generation with demand.
When frequency moves outside its permitted range, it can indicate an imbalance between the electricity entering the network and the amount consumers are using. Similarly, voltage fluctuations can affect the quality of electricity delivered through transmission infrastructure and create operational challenges for electrical equipment.
Although NERC’s October factsheet identified these deviations, it did not establish their specific causes or state how many hours the grid operated outside the approved limits.
The findings nevertheless highlight the need for stronger monitoring and improved stability across the electricity network.
Why 85% Generation Capacity Has Not Guaranteed Reliable Electricity
The 85 per cent utilisation rate may appear encouraging, but it does not mean Nigerian households receive electricity for 85 per cent of the day. Generation capacity represents only one part of a much larger electricity supply process that also depends on transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Power plants generate electricity before the transmission network transports it to distribution companies, which then deliver it to homes, offices, factories and other consumers.
Consequently, electricity generation companies can perform relatively well without consumers receiving a consistent supply, particularly when other parts of the electricity network face operational limitations.
Transmission infrastructure must carry generated electricity safely and efficiently, while distribution companies need functional networks capable of delivering sufficient power to customers. Weaknesses at any stage can affect the amount of electricity that eventually reaches consumers.
Nigeria’s electricity sector therefore faces a challenge that goes beyond the volume of electricity generated. Improving grid stability, strengthening transmission infrastructure and addressing distribution network limitations remain important to achieving more reliable electricity supply.
Jebba, Omotosho and Afam Lead Power Plant Performance
NERC’s report also identified the power plants that recorded the highest utilisation rates during October.
Jebba Unit 1 emerged as the leading performer, recording a 99 per cent load factor after generating an average of 423MW from its available capacity of 429MW.
Omotosho Unit 1 followed with a 97 per cent load factor, producing 179MW against an available capacity of 183MW. Afam Unit 2 also recorded strong performance at 94 per cent, generating 371MW from its available 395MW capacity.
These figures show that some generating units operated close to their available capacity during the reporting period, although the overall grid performance continued to raise concerns about electricity network stability.
For electricity consumers, the latest findings underline the difference between generating power and delivering it reliably. Until improvements extend across generation, transmission and distribution, higher utilisation at power plants alone may not translate into the consistent electricity supply that households and businesses need.
