NISO: Nigeria Faces Power Cuts on Seplat’s 4-day Gas Facilities’ Maintenance

• Egbin, Azura, Sapele, Transcorp, others to be impacted

•TCN begins restoration of Shiroro-Mando lines, bandits hobble progress

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) yesterday informed the public and all electricity market participants of anticipated gas supply constraints affecting some major thermal power generating stations connected to the national grid.

This situation, it said, arose from a formal notification received on the scheduled maintenance shutdown of a major gas supply facility from February 12 to 15, 2026, with full gas supply  expected to be restored on February 16, 2026.

But the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) named the company as Seplat Energy Plc, confirming that the Joint Venture (JV), a key supplier of gas into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) pipeline network, has scheduled routine maintenance on its gas production facilities.

NISO stated in its own statement that during the maintenance period, gas availability to certain power plants that depend on this supply network will be temporarily reduced.

“Power stations expected to be directly impacted include Egbin, Azura, Sapele, and Transcorp Power Plants, while NDPHC Sapele, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho Power Plants may experience indirect constraints due to network-wide gas balancing effects. This will result in a temporary reduction in available thermal generation capacity across the national grid.This reduction underscores the need for careful system operation to maintain grid stability and reliability.

“In line with its statutory mandate, NISO will deploy appropriate real-time operational measures to safeguard the integrity and security of the national grid throughout the maintenance window.

“Any load shedding, if required, will be implemented in a structured, transparent, and equitable manner in close coordination with Distribution Companies (Discos). Priority will be accorded to critical national infrastructure, essential services, and security installations,” it stated.

NISO assured all stakeholders and electricity consumers that every action taken during this period will be strictly guided by established operational procedures, grid security requirements, and reliability standards.

The National Control Centre (NCC), it said, will intensify real-time system monitoring and contingency planning, while also ensuring fair load allocation based on available generation capacity.

NISO appreciated the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders as the gas supplier undertakes the essential maintenance, which it said is necessary to ensure the long-term safety, reliability, and sustainability of upstream gas infrastructure in support of Nigeria’s power sector.

For its part, the NNPC said the planned activity formed part of standard industry safety and asset integrity protocols designed to ensure the continued reliability, efficiency, and safe operation of critical gas infrastructure.

Periodic maintenance of this nature, it stressed, is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and minimise the risk of unplanned outages.

“During the four-day maintenance period, there will be a temporary reduction in gas supply into the NGIC pipeline network. As a result, some power generation companies reliant on this supply may experience reduced gas availability, which could modestly impact electricity generation levels within the timeframe.

“NNPC Ltd and Seplat Energy are working closely to ensure that the maintenance is executed safely and completed as scheduled. In parallel, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) is engaging alternative gas suppliers to mitigate anticipated supply gaps and maintain stability across the network.

“Upon completion of the maintenance exercise, full gas supply into the NGIC system is expected to resume promptly, enabling affected power generation companies to return to normal operations. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” the NNPC said.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that intensive repair works are currently ongoing on the 330kV Shiroro-Mando Transmission Line 1.

“Our engineers and technical crew have been working round the clock to restore the affected line, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, restoration of Line 1 will be completed tomorrow. Upon completion, bulk power supply to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) will significantly improve, reducing the current power supply challenges being experienced within Kaduna and its environs.

“With respect to the 330kV Shiroro–Mando Transmission Line 2, TCN wishes to clarify that the fault location is within a security-challenged area presently affected by banditry activities. Unfortunately, this has temporarily restricted access for our linesmen to safely carry out necessary repair works.

“TCN is actively engaging relevant security agencies to secure the area and provide the required protection to enable safe access for our personnel. Restoration work on Line 2 will commence immediately access is guaranteed.

“TCN remains fully committed to ensuring the stability and reliability of the national grid. The completion of Shiroro-Mando Line 1 will substantially ease supply constraints and improve power delivery to Kaduna Electric while efforts are ongoing to restore full redundancy on Line 2’’, the company said in a statement.

It also observed a demolition exercise conducted by the Bauchi State Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Agency (BASIDMA) on February 11, 2026, at the high-tension corridor along Zango and Yelwa Community in Bauchi.

The operation targeted residential and commercial structures erected within the statutory Right of Way (RoW) of TCN transmission lines, the company said.

“This enforcement action was the culmination of sustained stakeholder engagements and sensitization programs initiated by TCN in 2025, aimed at addressing the risks associated with structures built within the transmission line corridor.

“TCN had convened a meeting with BASIDMA, community leaders, the Bauchi Urban Planning Authority, and youth representatives in 2025, highlighting the dangers of such structures to grid stability and public safety.

“BASIDMA, responsible for regulating land use, controlling development, and managing infrastructure in Bauchi State, took the decision to demolish the structures following these engagements. The agency’s action demonstrates its commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring public safety,” the statement added.