Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigeria power

  • Power Sector Crisis Deepens as National Grid Records First Collapse of 2026

    Power Sector Crisis Deepens as National Grid Records First Collapse of 2026

    Nigeria’s national electricity grid reportedly suffered a total system collapse on Tuesday, January 27, plunging large parts of the country into darkness as engineers worked on staged restoration.

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed the failure to a sudden drop in system frequency after a gas supply disruption at a major thermal station, reigniting debate over the fragility of national infrastructure.

    Manufacturing groups say frequent collapses are driving up production costs as factories rely on diesel generation, while consumers complain about weak communication from distribution companies during outages.

    Echotitbits take: Despite huge investment claims, the grid remains Nigeria’s Achilles’ heel. The durable fix is decentralization: states should accelerate independent power markets enabled by the 2023 Electricity Act, rather than waiting on a single national spine.
    Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/news/national-grid-suffers-first-collapse-of-2026-generation-falls-to-zero/ 2026-01-27

    Photo Credit: The Guardian

  • NERC Says Togo, Niger and Benin Owe Nigeria ₦25bn for Electricity Supply

    NERC Says Togo, Niger and Benin Owe Nigeria ₦25bn for Electricity Supply

    As disclosed by The Punch, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said Togo, Niger and Benin Republic owe about ₦25 billion for power supplied under regional agreements.

    The rising arrears have renewed debate about exporting electricity on credit while Nigeria faces domestic supply constraints and tariff pressures.

    NERC said discussions are ongoing on payment plans, warning that persistent non-payment could affect supply volumes.

    **Echotitbits take:** Recovering these debts matters for sector liquidity and stability. Watch for tougher contract terms—especially pre-payment structures—and clearer alignment between regional commitments and domestic power needs.
    Source: The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/power-gencos-invoices-fall-n80-56bn-on-weak-demand/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Power distributors begin rollout of 700,000 ‘free’ prepaid meters under regulator pressure

    Power distributors begin rollout of 700,000 ‘free’ prepaid meters under regulator pressure

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    Punch reports that electricity distribution companies have commenced rollout plans for about 700,000 prepaid meters, amid intensified pressure from the regulator to close Nigeria’s metering gap and reduce estimated billing.

    Related coverage flags a major operational wrinkle: STS token migration, with many existing meters still needing upgrades to remain compatible, which could complicate customer experience even as new units are deployed.

    The programme’s credibility will be judged on installations completed, activation speed, and how quickly customer disputes over billing reduce in real terms.

    TheCable quotes NERC’s Musiliu Oseni warning, “If your network is not ready to accept the new meters, don’t bring them,” while ThisDay notes “over 350,000 meters are yet to be migrated to the new Standard Transfer Specification (STS).”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s metering fight is now about execution—warehouse to wall. Watch who gets first (Band A vs others), how fast meters are activated, and whether dispute resolution is responsive when timelines slip.

    Source: The Punch — December 29, 2025 (https://punchng.com/regulator-pressure-discos-roll-out-700000-free-meters/)
    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • FG says power supply should rebound within 48 hours after gas pipeline disruptions

    FG says power supply should rebound within 48 hours after gas pipeline disruptions

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-24 07:44:00

    According to PUNCH, the Federal Government says the latest dip in electricity supply is temporary and should improve within 24–48 hours as repairs progress on disrupted gas infrastructure.

    The report links the supply drop to an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline and additional vandalism affecting gas delivery to thermal plants, reducing generation across the grid.

    Officials say the system operator is monitoring repairs by NGPTC (an NNPC subsidiary), and that restoration timelines have been communicated across the value chain.

    In the system operator update referenced, NISO said restoration works are “nearing completion and… full operations are expected to resume within 24 to 48 hours.” The minister’s team also said: “The situation is expected to be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours.”

    Echotitbits take: Even if supply returns, the bigger issue is resilience. Watch for stronger pipeline protection, redundancy in gas supply routes, and faster balancing capacity on the grid so single incidents don’t crash supply.

    Source: The Punch— December 23, 2025 (https://punchng.com/power-outage-temporary-supply-to-return-in-48-hours-adelabu/)
    The Punch 2025-12-23