NERC reports 36% plant availability in January as top power plants lead generation

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has released its January 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet, providing a snapshot of the performance of grid-connected power plants across the country.

The report revealed that Nigeria’s power plants recorded a Plant Availability Factor (PAF) of 36 per cent, indicating that an average of 4,901 megawatts (MW) was available for dispatch from the nation’s total installed capacity of 13,625 MW.

Despite the modest availability, the Average Load Factor stood at 90 per cent, showing that about 4,421 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h) of the available capacity was effectively utilised on the national grid.

The commission highlighted Ihovbor Power Plant (Unit 2), Kainji Power Plant (Unit 1), and Jebba Power Plant (Unit 1) as the top performers during the period, citing their high availability and efficient utilisation levels.

According to NERC, the operational performance data provides critical insights into the state of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), offering a guide for informed decision-making aimed at improving power generation, reliability, and sustainability.

The commission urged stakeholders and the public to remain engaged with developments in the sector, noting that such performance metrics are key to shaping the future of electricity supply in Nigeria.