Generation of power in Nigeria started in 1886 with two (2) generating sets installed to serve the then Colony of Lagos. By an Act of Parliament in 1951, The Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) was established in 1951 by Act of Parliament. In 1962, the Niger Dams Authority (NDA) was also established for the development of hydroelectric power. The 2 organizations were merged of the two in 1972 leading to the establishment of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). NEPA was saddled with the responsibility of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity across the country. Electric Power Sector Reform Act was enacted in 2005, leading to the renaming of NEPA to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), and unbundling of the power sector.
The Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act was signed into law in March 2005, enabling private companies to participate in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The government unbundled PHCN into eleven electricity distribution companies (DisCos), six generating companies (GenCos), and a transmission company (TCN). The Act also created the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as an independent regulator for the sector. The NERC regulates the activities of the components of the electric power sectors which includes the power generating companies, Energy Trading Company of Nigeria, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and electricity distribution companies. NERC from time to time issues regulatory guidelines, pricing templates and operational licenses.
According to information by NERC, there are 23 grid-connected power generating plants in active operation with a total installed capacity of 10, 396 MW where only about 6,056MW capacity is available. The thermal based generation has total installed capacity of 8,457MW with 4,996MW, while the hydropower stations have 1,938.4 MW total installed capacity but generate 1,060 MW
To increase the power generating capacity of the country, NDPHC constructed ten (10) gas fired power stations in different parts of the country under the National Integrated Power Project. The NIPP power stations have the capacity to generate about 4,774MW of power to the national grid.
Power Generating Stations in Nigeria
- Shiroro Hydro Power Station
- Kainji Damn Hydro Power Station
- Jebba Hydro Power Station
- Egbin Thermal Powder Station
- Adam i-v Power Station
- Adam vi Power Station
- Ughelli Power Station (Transcorp)
- Sapele Power Station
- Omotosho Power Station
- Kwale Okpai Power Station
- Geregu I Power Station
- Papalanto Olorunsogo Power Station
- AES Barge
- Ibom Power Station
- Trans Amadi Power Station
- Omoku Power Station
- Aba Power Station
- Rivers Power Plant
- Geregu II Power Station (NIPP)
- Ihovbor Power Station (NIPP)
- Sapele Electric Power Plant (NIPP)
- Olorunsogo II Power Station (NIPP)
- Alaoji Power Station (NIPP)
- Omoku II Power Station (NIPP)
- Omotosho II Power Station (NIPP)
- Egbema Power Station (NIPP)
- Gbarain Power Station (NIPP)
- Calabar Power Station (NIPP)