Electricity allocations to parts of Lagos, Abuja, and Northern Nigeria have been reduced following a series of transmission-line faults that limited the amount of power that could safely move through the national grid.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said the recent reductions were caused by multiple transmission outages and network constraints, rather than a shortage of electricity generation.

The distinction is important. Having enough electricity generated does not automatically mean that the power can reach a particular city or region. Electricity still needs sufficient transmission capacity to move it safely from where it is generated to where it is needed.

In Lagos, NISO identified outages affecting several major 330kV transmission lines, including the Olorunsogo-Ayede, Benin-Egbin, and Benin-Omotosho lines. The Osogbo-Ikeja West circuit was also unavailable for an extended period, reducing the amount of electricity that could be safely transferred to the Lagos area.

The northern corridor was also affected by faults on the Shiroro-Mararaba transmission line between August 24 and 26. Further outages on the Shiroro-Mando and Mando-Jos lines subsequently reduced transmission capacity to areas including Jos and the North-East.

Abuja experienced a similar disruption on August 29 after the Shiroro-Katampe and Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission lines tripped. NISO said both circuits were restored later that morning.

To keep the remaining network within safe operating limits, NISO adjusted generation dispatch and reduced allocations to affected distribution companies, including those serving Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Jos and other areas.