Nigerian Independent System Operator Refutes Claims of Zero Megawatt Power Allocation to Distribution Companies Amid Gas Supply Constraints

NISO refutes reports of zero megawatt allocation to DisCos, clarifying that gas supply shortages caused reduced but equitable power distribution across Nigeria.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 7:57 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Authority

Defending the Integrity of National Grid Management

The Nigerian Independent System Operator has moved to clarify the operational status of the national power grid following allegations of total supply cutoffs to specific regions. In a formal statement released on Tuesday, the management of NISO categorically denied that any Distribution Company was assigned a zero megawatt allocation during the weekend of March 20, 2026. This clarification serves as a direct rebuttal to reports suggesting that entire sections of the country were deliberately excluded from the national power pool, an act that would violate fundamental grid management protocols.

The Reality of Reduced Generation and Gas Constraints

While the agency firmly denies the zero allocation claims, it has acknowledged a significant downturn in the total volume of electricity generated for the national grid. This shortfall has been attributed to persistent gas supply constraints, which have hampered the ability of thermal power plants to operate at full capacity. Consequently, while every DisCo continued to receive a portion of the available power, the total amount distributed was lower than usual, leading to noticeable variations in supply across different geographic locations throughout the federation.

Adherence to Regulatory Sharing Frameworks

The distribution of available electricity is not an arbitrary process but is governed by the Multi Year Tariff Order framework established by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. NISO emphasized that this system is designed to ensure that whenever generation levels drop, the remaining power is dispatched and allocated equitably among all distribution entities based on pre established percentages. By following these mandated principles, the system operator aims to prevent any single region from bearing the total brunt of generation deficits, thereby maintaining a fragile but fair balance in a high demand environment.