The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has cautioned electricity consumers to expect a slight dip in power supply as Seplat Energy Plc temporarily shuts its gas production facilities for routine maintenance.
According to a statement released on Thursday by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the maintenance exercise is scheduled to run from February 12 to February 15, 2026.
Seplat, a joint venture partner of NNPCL and a major supplier of gas to the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) pipeline network, said the shutdown is part of standard industry procedures aimed at ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
Odeh explained that the planned work forms part of mandatory asset integrity checks designed to sustain reliability across critical gas infrastructure.
“This activity is essential to strengthen system performance, enhance operational resilience, and reduce the risk of unexpected outages,” the statement noted.
NNPCL disclosed that the maintenance will temporarily reduce gas volumes flowing into the NGIC pipeline network, which feeds several thermal power plants and industrial users nationwide.
As a result, some power generation companies may face limited gas availability, leading to a modest drop in electricity output during the four-day period.
Nigeria’s power sector relies heavily on gas-fired plants, which account for more than 70 per cent of installed generation capacity.
Most of these facilities depend on gas supplied through the NGIC network and related pipelines connecting producers in the Niger Delta to power hubs in the South-West and other regions.
In recent years, disruptions in gas supply—caused by vandalism, technical issues, or payment challenges—have frequently triggered power shortfalls, forcing grid operators to ration electricity.
However, NNPCL said steps are already being taken to minimise the impact of the shutdown.
“NNPC Ltd and Seplat Energy are working closely to ensure the maintenance is completed safely and on schedule. At the same time, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited is engaging alternative suppliers to bridge any anticipated supply gaps and maintain network stability,” Odeh stated.
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The company assured Nigerians that gas flows would be fully restored once the maintenance is concluded, allowing affected power plants to return to normal operations.
The development highlights Nigeria’s continued vulnerability to gas-related disruptions, especially with average grid generation hovering between 4,000MW and 5,000MW—far below installed capacity. Even short-term supply interruptions can ripple across distribution networks and households.
The announcement also comes amid ongoing power sector reforms and the Federal Government’s push to expand gas utilisation under its “Decade of Gas” initiative.
Energy experts say sustained investment in infrastructure redundancy, storage, and alternative energy sources will be key to reducing the grid’s exposure to periodic gas constraints.