Nigeria’s energy generation has shifted gradually from hydro to thermal. Thermal energy accounted for over three-quarters of the total energy generated in the last two years.
In 2020, out of 35,720.27 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of energy generated, 27,324.33 GWh was from thermal electricity. Likewise, in 2021, a total of 28,045.9 GWh thermal energy was generated out of 36,367.92 GWh. This shows that thermal energy accounted for 76.49% and 77.05% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Energy generation in the country increased from 35,720.27 GWh in 2020 to 36,397.92 GWh in 2021. This showed that total energy generation increased by 1.78% in 2021 over 2020.
Data analysis reveals some key highlights.
Drop in Percentage of Energy Supplied in 2021
The energy generation company (GENCOs) recorded a percentage drop in the total energy supplied in 2021 compared to 2020.
Total energy generation in 2020 was 35,720.27 GWh compared to the supply figure of 35,029.58 GWh.
In 2021, out of a total of 36,397.92 GWh generated, only 35,654.43 GWh was sent out.
GENCOs sent out 98.07% of the energy generated in 2020 but only 97.96% of what was generated was sent out in 2021.
Energy Generation Peaked in January 2021
Trend review shows that January 2020 was the most efficient month of energy supply because out of 2,826.02 GWh energy generated, 2,776.44 GWh was sent out which represents 98.25% of the total energy generated.
Energy generation however peaked in January 2021. The total energy generated in the month was 3,358.04 GWh, and 3,294.48 GWh was sent out making up 98.12% of the total energy generated.
Also, the month of July 2021 was the least efficient. In July 2021, GENCOs generated 2,717.99 GWh and sent out 2,655.87 GWh. The sent-out volume recorded was 97.71%, the all-time lowest.
Total energy supplied exceeded 97% of the total energy generated each month. On average, 98.01% of the energy generated over the last two years was sent-out.
Three Plants Failed to Generate Energy
There are a total of twenty-eight energy generation companies in the country. Out of this number, five of them are hydro while the remaining twenty-three are thermal.
The total energy generated in the country came from just twenty-five companies as three companies didn’t generate any energy in the two years under review. Two of these companies are thermal, while one is a hydro plant.
Dadin Kowa hydro plants and AES Barge and Gbarain thermal plants were reported to generate no energy in 2020 and 2021.
Hydro Plants Generate More Per-Plant Output
Out of the 28 energy generation plants in the country, hydro plants generated more per-plant output. Although hydro energy plants are less in number than thermal energy plants.
In 2020, total hydro energy generated was 8,352.02 GWh by estimation, output per plant for the four hydro energy plants is 2,088.01 GWh per plant.
Whereas, from the total 28,045.9 GWh generated in 2021 by thermal plants, the output generated per plant is 1,335.52 GWh.