Seven power plants nationwide may face gas supply disruptions following the planned shutdown of a key Seplat Energy facility for routine maintenance, sparking concerns over possible power shortages and blackouts, the Nigerian Independent System Operator has cautioned.

In a notice issued on Thursday, NISO informed electricity market operators and consumers that the maintenance, scheduled for February 12 to 15, 2026, will temporarily limit gas supply to certain thermal plants. It added that, if load management becomes necessary, priority will be given to critical national infrastructure and essential services during the period.

Power plants expected to be directly impacted include Egbin Power Plc, Azura Power West Africa, Sapele Power Plc, and Transcorp Power Limited.

Meanwhile, Niger Delta Power Holding Company’s Sapele, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho plants may experience indirect constraints arising from network-wide gas balancing effects.

The maintenance will disrupt gas supply into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited pipeline network, temporarily reducing thermal generation capacity on the national grid. In total, at least seven power stations are projected to face direct and indirect constraints during the exercise.

In a separate statement issued by NISO management and the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, Andy Odeh, the system operator confirmed that gas supply to seven grid-connected power plants will be restricted during the four-day maintenance period.

The notice read in part: “The Nigerian Independent System Operator hereby informs the general 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 arises from a formal notification received on the scheduled maintenance shutdown of a major gas supply facility from 12 to 15 February 2026 (both days inclusive). Full gas supply is expected to be restored on 16 February 2026.

“During the maintenance period, gas availability to certain power plants that depend on this supply network will be temporarily reduced. 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.”

Nigerian Independent System Operator, which recently assumed responsibility as the independent system operator under Nigeria’s restructured electricity market framework, said it will implement real-time operational measures to safeguard grid stability throughout the maintenance period.

“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,” the statement added.

“Any load shedding, if required, will be implemented in a structured, transparent, and equitable manner in close coordination with distribution companies. Priority will be accorded to critical national infrastructure, essential services, and security installations,” it stressed.

The operator assured stakeholders that all actions taken during the period would strictly comply with established grid security and reliability standards.

“NISO assures 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 will intensify real-time system monitoring and contingency planning, while also ensuring fair load allocation based on available generation capacity,” the statement noted.

Nigeria’s power grid remains largely reliant on thermal plants, which make up more than 70 per cent of installed generation capacity and depend mainly on natural gas delivered through pipelines and upstream processing facilities located in the Niger Delta.

Although Nigeria holds the largest gas reserves in Africa, recurring supply constraints, pipeline vandalism, outstanding payment obligations, and infrastructure maintenance challenges have continued to hamper electricity generation.

“This planned activity forms 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 is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and minimise the risk of unplanned outages,” the statement said.

The company acknowledged that the maintenance will temporarily cut gas supply into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited network, with potential ripple effects on electricity generation.

“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,” it added.

NNPC Limited and Seplat Energy said they are collaborating to ensure the exercise is concluded on schedule, with mitigation measures already being implemented.