Despite experiencing five grid collapses in Q4 2024, electricity consumers paid a total of N509.84bn, according to The PUNCH. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission reported three total collapses and two partial collapses during the period.
NERC stated that electricity distribution companies generated N509.84bn in Q4 2024, exceeding the N466.69bn collected in the previous quarter. It noted that Discos collected N466.69bn from the N626.02bn billed in Q3, with Q4’s collection efficiency reaching 77.44%, a 2.89 percentage point increase from Q3.
Despite recording five of the 12 grid collapses in 2024, the sector still generated the amount.
NERC explained that the national power grid is an extensive network of transmission lines connecting power stations to consumers across the country. It operates within specific stability limits, including voltage (330kV ± 5.0%) and frequency (50Hz ± 0.5%).
Deviations from these limits can reduce power quality and, in extreme cases, lead to widespread outages, ranging from partial grid failures to complete blackouts.
It was noted that when electricity demand exceeds supply, the grid frequency drops, while an oversupply causes the frequency to rise.
In Q4 2024, the national grid experienced three total collapses and two partial collapses. According to the report, the partial collapses occurred on October 14 and November 5, while the total collapses happened on October 19, November 7, and December 11, 2024.
The system operator is expected to submit a detailed report to the commission outlining the root causes of these disruptions and proposing mitigation plans to prevent future occurrences.
Nonetheless, roughly two partial grid collapses have been reported in Q1 2025, leaving consumers in the dark.
According to the NERC report, echoing the trend from Q3 2024, Eko and Ikeja DisCos achieved the highest collection efficiencies in Q4 2024 at 90% and 82.3%, respectively, while Jos Disco recorded the lowest at 49.68%.
A performance comparison between 2024/Q3 and 2024/Q4 shows that eight Discos improved their collection efficiency, with Yola (+13.93pp) and Kano (+9.88pp) registering the most significant gains.
