- The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission says Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity hit 5,100MW in the third quarter of 2024
- The NERC said generation capacity increased by 16.04 per cent, representing 705.13 Megawatts, in Q3 2024
- The increase is attributed to the enhanced capacity of 19 grid-connected power plants within the quarter
The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity increased to 5,100.90 Megawatts (MW) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
According to NERC’s Q3 2024 report released on Friday, December 20, available electricity generation capacity across grid-connected power plants rose by 16.04 per cent in the quarter, representing a 705.13MW increase from the 4,395.77MW recorded in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.
The report attributed the rise to the increased generation capacity of 19 power plants nationwide.
“The average hourly generation on the grid in 2024/Q3 was 4,280.24MWh/h, which translates to a total generation of 9,450.76GWh. The average hourly generation of grid-connected power plants increased by +6.51 per cent (+261.67MWh/h) from 4,018.57MWh/h in 2024/Q2.
“The total electricity generated in the quarter also increased by +7.68 per cent (+674.21GWh) from 8,776.55GWh in 2024/Q2 to 9,450.76GWh.
“The increase in generation during the quarter was primarily due to the increase in the available generation capacities of the grid-connected power plants compared to 2024/Q2,” the report stated.
Generation performance of grid-connected power plants
The report also highlighted the contributions of power plants across the country, which were driven by enhanced capacity and not merely increases in operational hours.
It stated that power plants with increased hourly generation include Dadin-Kowa_1 (+461.20 per cent), Olorunsogo_2 (+249.48 per cent), Afam_1 (+195.40 per cent), Olorunsogo_1 (+85.28 per cent) and Omotosho_1 (+69.27 per cent).
However, the report said Egbin_1 and Ihovbor_2 experienced declines in generation output at -26.32 per cent and -17.75 per cent, respectively.
Hydroelectric plants, including Shiroro_1 (+50.02 per cent) and Kainji_1 (+21.86 per cent), also contributed more to generation capacity.
Road to 6,000MW generation capacity?
The Q3 increase in Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity signals the Federal Government’s goal of achieving 6,000 megawatts (MW) of power by year-end.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said this will be achieved through a combination of hydroelectric and gas-fired power plants, as the country targets to generate, transmit and distribute 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, 30 per cent of which will be renewable energy.
Adelabu also disclosed that Nigeria’s power grid will gain an additional 150MW capacity by the end of 2024 to meet the 6,000MW target through the Siemens-led Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
In addition, the Federal Government secured loans from international lenders to bolster the power sector, including the $500 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group secured in July 2024.
The loan was part of the Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Programme (EGET-SP), aiming to transform the nation’s electricity infrastructure while promoting access to cleaner energy sources.
Nigeria loses $26bn yearly to electricity shortages –Report
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Nigeria suffers an estimated annual economic loss of $26 billion due to electricity shortages, according to a report, Africa Trade Barometer, by the Standard Bank.
According to the report, businesses shore up electricity shortages by spending nearly $22 billion annually on off-grid fuel, which leads to increased operational costs.
