The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has disclosed how it deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National grid due to the industrial actions declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
NISO, in a statement made available on Tuesday, confirmed major generation curtailment due to gas supply disruptions within the gas supply chain.
These disruptions, it explained, triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28th September 2025, to about 3,200 MW at the lowest point.
In response, the NISO said it promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National grid.
Key interventions, according to NISO, include:
• Hydropower Optimization: Strategic ramp-ups from major hydro stations, contributing over 400 MW of additional output to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.
• Generation Dispatch and Load Balancing: Real-time load adjustments to match available generation with system demand, while preventing a system frequency collapse.
• Voltage and Frequency Support: Continuous deployment of reactive power compensation and reserve monitoring to safeguard system integrity.
• Demand-Side Management: Selective load shedding, applied as a last resort, to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution.
NISO said these timely actions enabled its National Control Centre (NCC) to minimize the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.
The System Operator reaffirmed its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation.
