The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has rejected claims that its gas pipeline network contributed to the recent decline in electricity generation across the country.
The company maintained that its gas transportation infrastructure, managed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, operates without constraints and has not experienced disruptions responsible for the reduction in power generation.
NNPC also disclosed that gas production volumes increased by approximately 10 per cent year-to-date, insisting that its pipeline network remains capable of transporting available gas to power plants.
The company’s position follows concerns raised by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and the Federal Ministry of Power over the decline in electricity generation.
The power sector authorities attributed the shortfall to several factors, including inadequate gas supply, reduced water inflows into hydroelectric dams, scheduled maintenance at the Egbin Power Plant and vandalism of transmission lines.
However, NNPC argued that stakeholders must distinguish between gas production, transportation, commercial supply agreements and the actual volume of gas consumed by power plants.
It explained that challenges involving gas production volumes, contractual arrangements or individual power plants’ ability to receive and utilise gas should not automatically translate into claims that the pipeline network has failed.
The company maintained that assessing the country’s gas supply challenges requires a clear understanding of these separate operations. The disagreement comes amid persistent electricity supply challenges across Nigeria, with consumers experiencing disruptions in power supply.
NNPC’s response highlights the differing positions of the petroleum and power sector authorities over the factors responsible for the country’s declining electricity generation.
