NNPC says its gas supply not cause of low power generation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has dismissed claims that constraints in its gas transportation network are contributing to the decline in electricity generation across the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company said its pipelines remain available to transport gas to power plants nationwide without any constraints.

“NNPC Limited confirms that gas transportation network operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), remains available to support deliveries to power generating stations nationwide without any constraints,” the statement said.

It added that NGIC’s operational records do not indicate any transportation-related constraints within its network that could explain the current decline in electricity generation.

The clarification comes against the backdrop of a recent statement by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which identified limited gas availability and reduced water inflows to hydroelectric power stations as factors contributing to lower electricity generation.

“NNPC Limited’s clarification concerns the operational status of NGIC’s transportation network,” the statement noted.

Electricity supply across major Nigerian cities, including Lagos and Abuja, has declined significantly in recent weeks, worsening concerns over the country’s power supply.

The situation has been compounded by high temperatures and extreme heat as the rainy season gradually draws to a close.

The persistent power shortages have placed additional pressure on businesses and households, particularly as petrol prices remain elevated. While many Nigerians continue to struggle with the situation, others are increasingly turning to solar systems and inverters to meet their electricity needs.

On Friday, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, attributed the outages recorded across the country to planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station and gas supply constraints affecting some thermal power plants, which have reduced the volume of electricity available on the national grid.

The minister said he and his team were working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units expected to come back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.

“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure. I thank everyone affected for their patience and will provide further updates as supply is gradually restored,” he said.

However, NNPC maintained that the availability of its gas transportation infrastructure was not a challenge, reaffirming its commitment to supporting efforts to improve electricity generation through safe, reliable and efficient gas supply and transportation.

“Gas production, commercial supply arrangements and actual deliveries to individual power plants must be assessed separately from the availability of transportation infrastructure,” the statement said.

The company explained that a comprehensive assessment of the challenges must also consider the availability and operational readiness of generating units, plant maintenance schedules and actual gas offtake.

“These factors determine whether gas supplied can be converted into electricity. They should be verified alongside gas supply data to establish the causes of the shortfall,” NNPC said.

The company called for a coordinated review of operational data by gas suppliers, transporters, power generators and NISO to identify specific constraints and guide appropriate interventions.

It stressed that accurate reporting across the gas-to-power value chain was essential to resolving the challenges and sustaining public confidence.

“Our focus remains on dependable energy infrastructure and constructive collaboration that helps translate Nigeria’s gas resources into more reliable electricity for Nigerians,” it said.

NNPC added that it remained committed to actualising the federal government’s gas development and monetisation agenda, which it said had contributed to approximately 10 per cent growth in gas production volumes year-to-date in 2026.