System Operator Assures Nigerians Of Improved Power Supply in 48 Hours

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says electricity supply across the country would improve within the next 24 to 48 hours.

In a statement on Tuesday, the operator said the significant drop in electricity generation was caused by the recent Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline (ELP) explosion.

On December 15, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said coordinated containment measures have been successfully executed at the site of the Escravos-Lagos pipeline explosion.

Providing updates, NISO said it was closely monitoring the ongoing repair work by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, on the pipeline.
“This explosion caused a significant drop in electricity generation. Recall that, following the explosion, several gas-fired power stations recorded low outputs, reducing available generation capacity on the national grid and resulting in a shortfall in electricity supply to customers,” the statement reads.

“NISO is in close contact with the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company and has been assured that restoration work on the vandalised pipeline is nearing completion.

“It is expected that the vandalised pipeline will be fully operational within the next twenty to forty-eight hours, allowing the affected power plants to resume operations and restore full electricity supply to Nigerians.”

In a statement on Tuesday, minister of power, Bayo Adelabu, assured Nigerians that electricity supply would be reinforced following the recent decline “caused by a temporary shortfall in power generation”.
According to the statement by Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on strategic communications and media relations to the minister, he said the situation is expected to be resolved within the next 48 hours.

“The drop in power supply followed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP), compounded by acts of vandalism on critical gas infrastructure, which disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants across the country,” the minister said.

Adelabu further acknowledged the inconveniences currently being experienced by households and businesses.

According to the minister, he held meetings with key power sector stakeholders, including NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the ministry of power, electricity generation companies (GenCos), and electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

He said this is due to the increased electricity demand during the Yuletide season, necessitating the prompt restoration of gas supply and increased energy generation.

At the meeting, Adelabu said stakeholders confirmed that repairs to the vandalised pipelines would be completed within 24 to 48 hours, allowing gas supply to resume.

The minister subsequently directed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure strict adherence to the timeline.

“We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians. However, we wish to assure the public that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is working round the clock to address the situation with utmost urgency,” he said.

Given the increased electricity demand during the Yuletide season, he stressed the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up energy generation.

Adelabu expressed optimism that gas supply and power generation would improve significantly within 24 to 48 hours, with normal levels restored gradually.

The minister added that the federal government is treating the incident with the utmost seriousness, with immediate efforts focused on restoring supply.

Adelabu noted that beyond the short-term response, long-term measures are being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical infrastructure.