Ola Wale
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that Seplat Energy Plc, a joint venture partner and key gas supplier, will conduct routine maintenance on its gas production facilities from February 12 to 15, 2026. This maintenance is expected to temporarily reduce gas supply to some power generation companies, potentially impacting electricity generation levels.
The affected power plants include Egbin, Azura, Sapele, and Transcorp, with possible indirect effects on others like NDPHC Sapele, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho. NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) is engaging alternative suppliers to mitigate supply gaps and maintain network stability .
According to NNPCL, the maintenance is part of standard industry safety and asset integrity protocols to ensure the reliability and efficiency of critical gas infrastructure. The company assures that full gas supply will resume promptly after the maintenance, allowing affected power plants to return to normal operations .
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has been notified and will monitor the situation, implementing contingency plans to maintain grid stability. Priority will be given to critical national infrastructure, essential services, and security installations if load shedding becomes necessary .
This scheduled maintenance highlights Nigeria’s reliance on gas-fired thermal power plants, which account for over 70% of installed generation capacity. Past disruptions have led to generation shortfalls and grid instability, emphasizing the importance of such maintenance exercises .
NNPCL emphasizes that periodic maintenance is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and minimize unplanned outages. The company is working closely with Seplat Energy to ensure safe and timely completion of the maintenance .
The maintenance period is expected to be four days, with gas supply expected to return to normal on February 16, 2026. NNPCL appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation during this period.
