According to reports on Tuesday, Nigeria’s national power grid has achieved historic performance levels in 2025, recording unprecedented peaks in electricity generation and transmission, according to recent data from the National Control Centre.
On March 4, 2025, the grid produced its highest-ever power output of 5,801.84 megawatts (MW) at 9:15 p.m., marking a milestone for the country’s electricity sector. This same day also saw the grid set new records for daily generation and energy delivery, producing 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh) and successfully transmitting 126,606.47 MWh across the country.
Industry stakeholders say the figures reflect significant progress in the nation’s power infrastructure and a gradual improvement in overcoming longstanding electricity supply bottlenecks.
Available records show that Nigeria’s installed power generation capacity stands at 13,014.40 MW (as of July 1, 2021). However, its available generation capacity—the amount of power the system can reliably produce—remains at 7,652.60 MW, a figure first attained on March 3, 2020. On the transmission side, the grid’s maximum wheeling capacity, or the amount of power it can transport to distribution companies, has remained steady at 7,300 MW since March 4, 2020.
Energy analysts note that these record-breaking numbers point to better operational coordination between power plants, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and electricity distribution firms. This improved synergy is seen as a positive step toward stabilising supply, which could help reduce the country’s dependence on diesel and petrol generators a costly and polluting alternative still widely used by businesses and households.
Despite the encouraging performance, experts caution that the gap between installed and available capacity highlights persistent challenges. These include aging infrastructure, gas supply issues for thermal plants, hydropower variability due to seasonal water levels, and the need for expanded transmission lines to serve growing demand.
Government officials have pledged continued investment in modernising the grid, expanding generation capacity, and enhancing transmission efficiency. If sustained, these improvements could pave the way for more reliable electricity supply, economic growth, and a gradual reduction in energy costs for consumers.
COURTESY: Sammy24
