Electricity supply was disrupted in parts of Nigeria on Monday after power generation on the national grid dropped sharply to 476.70 megawatts (MW) from 3,840MW recorded at 7am.
Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that the grid lost 3,363.30MW, with the decline becoming pronounced at about 12:40pm.
The development coincided with reports of power outages by electricity consumers across different locations, with complaints emerging on social media between 12:45pm and 1:20pm.
Several major power plants recorded zero output during the period, including Egbin, Jebba, Shiroro and Kainji.
However, Odukpani, Omotosho and Sapele remained among the plants supplying electricity to the grid. According to the NISO dashboard, only five generating companies were producing power by early afternoon.
The sharp decline in generation also affected electricity distribution, prompting Ikeja Electric to explain the reduced supply hours across its network.
In a notice issued on Monday, the distribution company said the situation resulted from a reduction in the volume of electricity allocated to it from the national grid.
“We wish to inform customers across Ikeja Electric network that the reduced hours of electricity supply is due to a shortfall in the amount of power currently allocated to our network from the national grid,” the company stated.
Ikeja Electric said it was engaging relevant stakeholders to improve the available supply, while acknowledging the inconvenience caused to customers.
The company appealed for patience and understanding, assuring consumers that it would distribute the electricity received from the grid “as efficiently and equitably as possible”.
It also promised to provide further updates as the situation developed.
The incident underscores the impact of fluctuations in national electricity generation on supply to households and businesses, as distribution companies depend on power allocated to them from the grid.
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