NERC for distribution companies: supply electricity for 20 hours to consumers of band A or reduce their power

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has asked Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide Band A consumers with the required 20 hours of daily power supply.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Edition, Deif Akpenay, NERC Commissioner for Licensing and Legal Affairs, said distribution companies should immediately downgrade customers if they cannot consistently supply sufficient power.

“If distribution companies cannot serve such customers, they will have to downgrade such customers to meet the needs they can provide.

“A distribution can distribute something that is only available online. Therefore, when there is no supply to the grid, distribution companies cannot meet their supply obligations.

“But the problem with the power grid has been resolved and we hope that supply can improve, and when this is not possible, distribution companies will have to downgrade such customers,” he explained.

He said states are building capacity to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

States gain power over electricity markets

He also mentioned that states can now create and regulate electricity markets in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.

He further said that the distribution can be done within the state without any hindrance.

“States now have the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within states without restrictions.

“We must remember that Nigeria is a country of laws. Nigerian law states that states have the power to create and regulate electricity markets.

“States have the capacity and as we speak, a team from Oyo State has given notice to us and they are currently spending a week in the commission without sufficiently studying what we are doing,” he said.

What you should know

The recent collapse of the nationwide power grid has reduced the supply of electricity to Band A consumers.

The commission increased the tariff paid by Group A consumers from N68/kWh to N225/kWh.
The Minister of Energy, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that the Federal Government will impose sanctions on electricity distribution companies (distribution companies) that fail to supply a minimum of 20 hours of electricity per day to Band A consumers.
He also posted on his official X account that the measure is part of a recently revised tariff structure aimed at providing better service to Band A electricity consumers.
Dafe Akpeni noted that power distribution depends on the stability of the grid, noting that the recent resolution of network issues can improve the reliability of power supply and ensure compliance with service obligations.”
He said the government has introduced new policies to rescue the sinking sector, assuring Nigerians that the pain is temporary.
The clarification comes as electricity consumers are faced with a recent tariff hike by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The minister also said that the Federal Government will pay the sum of N2.9 trillion in electricity subsidies this year if the tariff is not revised.

The regulator has warned that Discos will face sanctions if they fail to provide at least 20 hours of power supply to Band A consumers as required by service standards.