GenCos Record 4,102MW Average Generation in August — NERC

Generation companies (GenCos) delivered an average of 4,102 megawatts (MW) of electricity hourly in August 2026, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed.

The figure, contained in NERC’s Operational Performance of Power Plants factsheet for August, represents the average hourly generation from grid-connected power plants during the month. An average of 4,758MW was available for dispatch across the national grid, indicating that a significant share of installed capacity was utilised.

NERC said the average load factor for grid-connected plants stood at 86 per cent in August, a measure of how much of available generation capacity was actually used. The load factor is calculated as the ratio of average electricity generated over a period to the maximum possible generation.

Some plants recorded load factors of 100 per cent or higher, including Olorunsogo_1, Omoku_1, Igbafo_1 and Trans Amadi_1. NERC explained that this occurs when GenCos are directed by the System Operator to maximise output above their declared steady-state availability to maintain grid stability.

Among the top performers by load factor, Afam_2 recorded the highest utilisation at 99 per cent, generating 262MW out of an available 265MW. Kainji_1 followed with 98 per cent (345MW out of 352MW), while Egbin_1 recorded 96 per cent (333MW out of 347MW).

Other notable plants included Ihovbor_2 (92 per cent), Shiroro_1 and Okpai_1 (87 per cent each), and Jebba_1 (83 per cent). Delta_1 recorded 80 per cent, while Odukpani_1 and Zungeru_1 posted 74 per cent and 72 per cent respectively.

However, the factsheet showed that some grid-connected facilities, including Sapele_2, Alaoji_1, Geregu_2 and Ibom Power_1, recorded zero per cent load factor in August, indicating no generation from those plants during the month.

Beyond generation, the regulator reported on grid stability metrics. Average lower grid frequency stood at 49.34Hz and average upper grid frequency at 50.67Hz, both exceeding the prescribed target range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.

Similarly, average lower grid voltage was 302.29kV and average upper grid voltage 349.68kV, outside the prescribed limits of 313.50kV to 346.50kV. NERC did not provide commentary on the implications of the frequency and voltage deviations in the factsheet.