Nigeria’s electricity generation increased by 10.92% in the first quarter of 2025, driven by improved operational capacity and better availability of thermal and hydropower plants feeding the national grid.
According to the latest report from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Q1 2025, total energy generated reached 10,304.47 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from 9,289.95 GWh recorded in the previous quarter. This rise reflects stronger performance across multiple power plants, supported by enhanced grid dispatch conditions.
NERC also reported that average hourly generation on the grid grew by 13.39%, climbing to 4,770.59 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h) from 4,207.41 MWh/h in Q4 2024—an increase of 563.18 MWh/h.
“The hourly generation and total generation increased by 13.39% and 10.92% respectively in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024. This growth is linked to increased cumulative available generation capacity of grid-connected plants,” the report stated.
During the quarter, 19 power plants boosted their output, significantly contributing to the overall increase in generation.
Thermal power plants were the primary drivers of growth. Among 23 thermal plants connected to the grid, 16 recorded higher average hourly output compared to the previous quarter. Leading contributors included Delta_1, which added 157.58 MWh/h, followed by Geregu_2 (71.95 MWh/h), Egbin_1 (68.20 MWh/h), and Afam_2 (68.03 MWh/h).
Hydropower plants also supported growth, though on a smaller scale. The five grid-connected hydro stations posted a combined increase of 54.93 MWh/h, marking a 4% improvement. Zungeru_1 led with a 23.55% rise, while Shiroro_1 and Kainji_1 grew by 12.21% and 4.80% respectively.
This first-quarter improvement reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize power supply through better plant maintenance, enhanced grid management, and more consistent dispatch across regions.
However, challenges such as fuel supply issues, equipment reliability, and high operating costs continue to limit the full potential of Nigeria’s power generation capacity.
