Generator Cost for Lagos — Wetin You Go Pay
5 sizes from 2.5KVA reach 60KVA · monthly fuel cost · brand ranking · maintenance schedule
Generator na the most expensive long-running cost for most Lagos household — usually pass rent for low-income family and pass food for middle-income family. The right question no be 'which generator I go buy' but 'how much e go cost me to run am every month, every year, for the next 7 years?'. This page get the real numbers.
| Brand · Model | KVA | Fuel | Price | Fuel /hr | Monthly fuel (8h) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumec Firman SPG3000E2 | 2.5 | petrol | ₦180.0K–250.0K | 0.8L | ₦253.4K | 1-bed flat — light, fan, TV, fridge |
| Sumec Firman SPG6800E2 | 5 | petrol | ₦350.0K–480.0K | 1.5L | ₦475.2K | 2-3 bed house — light, fan, TV, fridge, small AC |
| Lutian LT8000 | 6.5 | petrol | ₦450.0K–600.0K | 2L | ₦633.6K | 3-bed house with AC |
| Mikano DG20 | 20 | diesel | ₦2.5M–4.0M | 3.5L | ₦1.6M | Big compound, small office, plenty AC |
| Perkins Perkins 60KVA | 60 | diesel | ₦8.0M–15.0M | 8L | ₦3.7M | Office building, estate, industrial |
Monthly fuel cost na for 8hr/day running at current pump price (petrol ₦1,320/L, diesel ₦1,950/L).
Match KVA to your load
Generator sizing na where most Lagos household dey waste money. Oversize generator dey burn fuel for load wey no dey there; undersize one dey fail under load or wear out fast. The basic rule: add up the wattage of every appliance wey go run at the same time, then add 25% headroom for motor startup surge.
- 2.5KVA (2,000W usable): 1-bed flat — light, fan, TV, fridge, phone charging.
- 5KVA (4,000W usable): 2-3 bed house with small AC, fridge, TV, fan, microwave.
- 6.5KVA (5,200W usable): 3-bed house with 2 AC, full appliance, water pump.
- 20KVA (16,000W usable): Big compound or small office. 4-5 AC, multiple fridge, security light.
- 60KVA (48,000W usable): Office building or estate. Industrial loads, lifts, multiple HVAC zone.
Skipping service na the number-one reason generator dey die early for Lagos. The maintenance schedule wey manufacturer dey recommend dey straightforward: oil change every 250 running hour (about every 4-6 weeks for 8hr/day generator), air filter every 6 months, full service (oil + filter + spark plug + battery check) every 12 months. Residential service na around ₦15K-₦40K; industrial service for 20KVA+ na ₦60K-₦200K.
Lifespan with proper maintenance: petrol generator 5-7 years, diesel 8-12 years, industrial diesel 15+ years. Without service: petrol 2-3 years, diesel 4-6 years. The difference na not small.
At current petrol price, every Lagos household using 5KVA+ generator go save with solar within 4 years.
If your area na Band A (₦209.50/kWh), generator dey often optional. Check your band.