Nigerians may face power shortages this festive season as gas companies cut supplies to thermal power plants, affecting electricity generation nationwide.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) informed customers in the South-East that low system frequency, caused by gas constraints, has forced the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to implement load shedding. Subsidiaries affected include MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.
Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company cited poor generation and allocation from gas-fired plants as the reason for ongoing load shedding, urging customers to remain patient.
Gas constraints stem from unpaid debts owed to suppliers. Earlier in 2025, the Federal Government approved N185 billion to settle outstanding payments to gas producers, but companies have reportedly continued to cut supply despite the allocation.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) added that electricity generation dropped following a reported vandalism incident on an upstream gas pipeline, further reducing gas availability to power plants. Emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric generation and voltage control, are being implemented to stabilize the grid.
With over 80% of grid-connected power plants reliant on natural gas, the sector remains highly vulnerable. Stakeholders warn that unless the gas-to-power debt and pipeline disruptions are addressed promptly, Nigerians could experience prolonged outages during the Yuletide.
