– Gas pipeline vandalism cuts power generation – NISO

Nigerians may celebrate the Yuletide in darkness if the Federal Government takes no further steps to defray the gas-to-power debt, as gas companies have begun cutting supplies to power plants, a development already affecting electricity generation nationwide.

On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company informed customers across the South-East of the situation in a statement issued by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh.

According to EEDC, the drop in power supply availability is due to low system frequency, said to have been occasioned by gas constraints affecting generation companies. The DisCo disclosed that the situation had necessitated load shedding of available energy by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

As a result, EEDC said the development had impacted energy allocation to it and reduced the daily service level to customers served by its subsidiary companies — MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.

The statement read, “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC wishes to inform electricity customers across the South-East region that the recent drop in power supply availability is due to low system frequency, occasioned by gas constraints affecting the generation companies. This development has necessitated the load shedding of available energy by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“As a result, this development has impacted energy allocation to EEDC and the daily service level to customers served by its subsidiary companies, namely MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.

“Efforts are currently being made by critical stakeholders in the electricity supply industry to address this challenge and restore normal power distribution. EEDC sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this situation has caused its esteemed customers and appreciates their patience and understanding.”

Earlier, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company also issued a notice to customers, stating, “Dear esteemed customer, Kindly be informed that the current load shedding being experienced in all our franchise areas is a result of poor generation and allocation from the generation company and NCC.

“We appeal to our esteemed customers to exercise patience as the GenCo team is working assiduously to improve generation and allocation. All inconveniences are regretted.”

In an interview with our correspondent, generation companies confirmed that gas constraints were affecting their operations. The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, confirmed that gas producers had begun cutting supplies due to debts owed to them.

Recall that Nigerians experienced months of darkness in the first quarter of 2024 after gas companies stopped supplying feedstock to thermal power plants over unpaid debts. Although government intervention resolved the crisis at the time, gas producers said they have continued supplying gas without payment.

On December 4, 2025, the Federal Government announced the approval of N185bn for the payment of outstanding debts owed to natural gas suppliers in a bid to ease liquidity constraints and boost electricity generation nationwide.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this in a statement issued by his media aide, Louis Ibah, noting that the approval was granted a day earlier by the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

However, the decision by gas companies to cut supplies despite the payment approval remains unclear. Bolaji Tunji, spokesman for the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had yet to respond to messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

With gas supplies constrained and power generation yet to recover, electricity distribution across several parts of the country remains under pressure, raising concerns over sustained outages unless the liquidity issues in the gas-to-power chain are urgently resolved.

Gas pipeline vandalism

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Independent System Operator stated on Tuesday that electricity generation on the national grid dropped following gas supply constraints caused by a reported vandalism incident within the upstream gas pipeline network.

NISO disclosed that the incident disrupted gas supply to several gas-fired power plants, leading to a sharp decline in available generation capacity on the grid. In a statement signed by its management, the system operator explained that the reduced gas availability forced multiple thermal power stations to operate at significantly lower output, affecting overall electricity supply nationwide.

It noted that the development once again exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s power sector to gas supply disruptions, given that more than 80 per cent of grid-connected power plants rely on natural gas. The clarification followed the recent drop in power supply across the country, attributed to gas supply constraints affecting optimal output and the general operational frequency of the generating companies.

NISO stated, “The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to inform the general public and sector stakeholders that electricity generation on the National Grid has dropped due to gas supply constraints arising from the reported incident of gas pipeline vandalisation within the upstream gas supply network.

“The incident affected gas availability to several power generation facilities. Consequently, several gas-fired power stations recorded low output, which resulted in reduced available generation capacity on the national grid. In response to the situation, NISO promptly activated established contingency measures to maintain system stability and reliability.”

According to the operator, emergency actions included increased dispatch from available hydroelectric power stations, continuous generation re-dispatch, voltage control interventions, and other operational adjustments aimed at balancing electricity supply with demand.

NISO added that it was closely monitoring grid conditions, including system frequency and voltage profiles, while working with key stakeholders across the electricity value chain to mitigate the impact of the disruption.

The operator also warned that the timing of the incident was particularly concerning, as the festive season typically places additional pressure on the national grid due to higher electricity demand.