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Tag: Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

  • BEDC dispels licence withdrawal rumour

    BEDC refutes fictitious information on license withdrawal message by EDOSCO

    Management of BEDC Electricity PLC (BEDC), has dispelled rumors by some Civil Societies Organization that its operating licence has been withdrawn.

    It urged its customers to disregard comments by the Civil Society groups asking them not to pay electricity bills based on the license withdrawal.

    A press statement issued to newsmen in Benin City and signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adekunle Tayo, said the groups were peddling misinformation because the BEDC instituted court cases against some of it’s members for illegal tampering with power equipment.

    Read Also: BEDC, TCN settle rift for consumers’ satisfaction

    Tayo  noted that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which handles all matters relating to licensing, duly recognized BEDC as the electricity service provider for Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states.

    According to him, “After the licence renewal misinformation turned out to be a hoax, the groups have hbbeen looking for another avenue of smearing the corporate image of BEDC through deliberate falsehood and misinformation of the public especially customers.

    “BEDC therefore advises esteemed customers and good people of Edo state to disregard the false information being peddled by EDOSCO while advising customers to continue to pay their electricity bill in line with what is consumed”.

  • Electricity theft offenders risk seven year jail term

    If the Bill seeking for an Act to prohibit and prevent electricity theft sails through, convicted offenders risk a jail term of seven years.

    The Bill entitled “A Bill for an Act to prohibit and prevent electricity theft, power infrastructure vandalisation and power company protection 2017,” was submitted to the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy.

    Read Also:Fashola blames past administration for electricity challenges

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) submitted the Bill to the Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe led Senate Power Committee Wednesday for onward presentation to the Senate in plenary for consideration and passage into law.

    NERC in is submission highlighted the fact that the power sector in Nigeria has been reported to suffer from high energy losses of between 30-35%, largely blamed on stealing and sabotage.

    It noted that instances of some electricity consumers, by-passing electric meters and the vandalisation of power transformers, feeder pillars, electric cable stealing, are wide spread.

    It said that the situation directly contributes to the present crisis in Nigeria’s power sector.

    It noted that for Nigeria, taking stern measures to combat the menace, logically comes within the larger context of the Federal Government’s current battle against corruption.

    It said for example, the country can barely generate a mere 4,043 megawatts from its 23 grid-connected generating facilities.

    The implication, the commission said, is that the country has one of the lowest power consumption per capita in the world.

    The commission said that it must be noted that power lines vandalisation and electricity theft are implicated and therefore, taking timely and tough action to curb it is urgently important.

    It insisted that “if we fail to act decisively in correcting the ills of the power sector, including public power leakage, the opportunity for the country to recover could be lost.”

    Part of the objectives of the Bill include to amend section  94(3) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 to curb and deter illegal and unauthorized use of regulated electricity supply as well as to protect electricity infrastructure.

    It seeks also to punish any person found to have engaged in illegal and unlawful use of electricity and destruction of electric power infrastructure.

    The Bill provides in Section 94(3)( a )that “Any person who willfully: taps, makes or causes to be made any connection with overhead, underground of under water lines or cables, or service wires, or service facilities of a licensee;  or

    (c ) damages or destroys an electric mater, apparatus, equipment, wire or conduit or causes or allows any of them to be so damaged or destroyed as to interfere with the proper or accurate metering of electricity — shall be guilty of an offence punishable with terms of imprisonment  for a period of not less than six months and not more than two years or to a fine of N100,000 or both.

    It allows the police and other security agents to enter to inspect and search any place or premises in which they have reason to believe that electricity has “been, or being, or is likely to be illegally and unlawfully used.”

    The Bill further provides in Section 94(3) that “Any person who willfully and unlawfully (a) destroys, damages or removes any electricity distribution lines; or anything connected therewith; or,

    (b) Otherwise prevents or obstructs the distribution of electricity through the distribution line, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction with imprisonment for a period of not less than five years or to a fine of N5 million or both.

    The Bill also provides that “If a person having been convicted of an offence punishable under the law commits similar offence he shall be liable for the subsequent offence to the term of imprisonment which shall not be less than seven years.”

    Chairman of the Power Committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, wanted how the quantity of stolen electricity can be measured.

     

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    Read Also: Edo orders arrest of imposter over illegal revenue collection

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

     

  • TCN raises capacity with 60MVA transformer in Edo, Ogun

    In line with the Buhari administration’s policy on incremental power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has again successfully completed the installation of two units of 60MVA 132/33kV power transformers at Papelanto and Okpella Transmission Substations in Ogun and Edo States respectively.

    The 60MVA transformer in Okpella will be commissioned by the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on September 22, part of ceremony in his honour by his ancestral home, Igara Community in Edo State.

    Read Also:TCN’s capacity is 4,000mw not 7,000mw, say DisCos

    The 60MVA at Papalanto will be commissioned by the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN at a later date.

    The 60MVA power transformer installed at Okpella, is long overdue and will greatly support the industrial policy of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, which is based on the existence of huge deposit of limestone and other solid minerals in the area. Already BUA Cement has a factory at Okpella which could be expanded with improved power supply.

    According to the statement issued by TCN General Manager Public Affairs Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, prior to the new installation, the capacity of Okpella Substation was only 15MVA and has now increased to 75MVA with the installation of a 60MVA power transformer. Consequently, several communities including Okpella, BUA Cement Company, Aghenebode Town and environs, who are customers of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, are expected to experience improved power supply.

    Also, the capacity of Papalanto Substation was 75MVA before the new 60MVA power transformer was installed. The additional transformer has increased the stations capacity to 132MVA. Electricity users in Ilaro, Lapeleke, Sango, Onihale and environs in in Ogun State who are customers of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company are expected to experience improved power supply. Potential eligible customers such as Lords Mint and Dolphin could also benefit from the increased supply.

    TCN noted that several projects are currently on-going in its network nationwide and re-affirmed its resolve to continue to pursue and implement the incremental power policy of the Federal Government by consistently investing in capacity expansion initiatives through its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP). TCN expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Power Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola for providing the needed leadership under which the company has continued to achieve laudable milestones.

  • AEDC denies issuing “Force Majeure” on direct purchase of electricity

    AEDC denies issuing “Force Majeure” on direct purchase of electricity

    Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc ( AEDC ) has denied declaring any “Force Majeure” over the new Eligible Customer Policy in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry ( NESI ).

    “Force Majeure “ is a contractual and legal announcement, which is used to declare the inability of a party to meet up with a contractual obligation with another party in business.

    The Minister of Power, Works, Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, had on May 15, declared four categories of customers that could purchase power direct (eligible customers) from the generation companies in the NESI.

    The declaration, which permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies, is in line with the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC ) had also on Nov 6, presented  the  regulations to guide the implementation of the customer eligibility in the NESI.

    AEDC in a statement by its Head,  Corporate Communications, Mr Oyebode Fadipe, said the information in the media on declaration of force majeur came to AEDC  as a  shock.

    Fadipe said AEDC was surprised, when its name was listed in some media as one of the DisCos that declared force majeure on  eligible customer policy of the Federal Government.

    “We have neither declared any force majeure nor have we conveyed such intention to either the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) nor Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    “AEDC did not discuss   with   any other stakeholder in the Nigerian electricity supply industry nor do we intend to do so anytime soon”.

    Fadipe urged AEDC’s  customers and stakeholders to disregard the story as it had nothing to do with  the company  as a player in the NESI.

    NAN

  • FG receives N19b electricity payment from Niger, Benin

    FG receives N19b electricity payment from Niger, Benin

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Raji Babatunde Fashola Monday broke a good news to the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) that the Federal Government has received $64,630,055 (N19,712,166,775) electricity bill payment from Niger Republic and Benin Republic.

    According to him, the Nigeria Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) is expected to work out the modalities before onward distribution to the DisCos.

    He spoke at the 21st Monthly Power Sector Ministerial /Stakeholders meeting at the Asaba, Delta State that Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC hosted.

    The minister had earlier commissioned the 215MVA Asaba sub-station transformer, which, he said, will reduce incidence of load shedding in the area.

    But speaking in the meeting, Fashola said that: “I have some good news for you as well. Some money has come in form the power we sell to Benin Republic and Niger Republic. People wonder why this is so. They are a product of treaties and agreements.

    “They also help our own economy.  So we have a total of $64,630,055 that has been recovered. So, NBET will work out the modality for distribution. And hopefully by next month, you too, should be able to report that you have received an alert.”

    The minister also announced that the Federal Executive Council had on approved to resolve a meter contract dispute that it entered with a contractor since 2003, but the government’s approval last Thursday resulted in a court settle which implies that the contractor can now have N37billion plus the interest that accrued over the time for provision of meters to the DisCos.

    Fashola urged the interested DisCos to liaise with the ministry and contractor for supply of meters to their customers, adding that the deal is strictly between the contractor and the power firm while the ministry is only to make the facilitation with the meter supplier.

    He however urged the parties to note that the agreements will reach on meter supply will be subject to the regulation that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is about to present.

    His words: “But on a progressive note, I am also happy to report that the approval by the Federal Executive Council to resolve a meter contract dispute entered into since 2003, has now culminated in a court settlement that was concluded on Thursday, the 9th of November.

    “What that means is that that contractor will now have N37billion plus the accrued interest of the money to make meters available to customers of DisCos. They have to work with the DisCos, so, DisCos who are interested in taking this over should contact the ministry, we will make the facilitation formally with the meters supplier. “We expect this to be bilateral contract between you and them. We don’t want to get involved. We are just going to create a link and a handshake. Some of you are presumably already talking to them to get ready because you know them.

    “The agreement you will reach with them will be subject to the regulations that is coming from NERC. So those who are concerned about meters as we promised something is being done and we are moving closer to implementation.”

    He revealed to the stakeholders that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has completed the guidelines for the operation of the Rural Electrification Fund.

    The minister explained that the fund is to provide partial capital payment (subsidy) rural electricity operators.

    The minister added that “what the fund seeks to do is to provide a partial capital payment by way of subsidy for technical assistance to eligible private rural power development operators and also to end use for communities for options as hybrid solar and to generally scale up rural access to electricity.”

    He said the fund is to facilitate investment in hybrid mini-grid, solar system and to generally scale up rural access to electricity.

    The minister noted that those that fund will serve are the unserved rural communities.

    The fund, according to him, will provide a minimum of $10,000 and maximum amount of $300,000 which 75% of the project cost.

    He said the REA will publish the guidelines and eligibility criterial in the national newspapers.

    Fashola said that the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has been lucky this year benefiting from availability of water from the hydro and experiencing peace in the Niger Delta for adequate gas supply.

    He promised that even as the rain is receding, there is sufficient gas available for firing the turbines for adequate power supply for the rest of the year.

    Speaking, the Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibudo had said that there has been a response of the Federal Government to the theft and vandalism of electricity installation through the Inspector General of Police who has established a special anti-vandal response force in the area of operation.

    She also announced that the company was making progress in the management of load and outage management.

    The Chief Executive Officer said that the BEDC has improved its bill collection method with the introduction of the billing calculator.

  • FG not against states developing power projects – Fashola

    FG not against states developing power projects – Fashola

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it was not against state governments developing their own power projects to support development and improvement in power supply.

    The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, reiterated the position of the federal government at a meeting of the National Council on Power ( NACOP ) in Jos.

    “I heard statements to the effect that Federal Government should allow the states to develop their own power projects.

    “The truth is that Federal government is not standing on the way of any state; the laws do not stand in the way of any state to develop power projects.

    “Because as governor, we built seven power plants, government did not stop us; what we could not do is to do commercial distribution which the law actually allows under license through Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC ).”

    Fashola said that the theme of meeting, “Completing Power Sector Reforms”, provided opportunity to share with representatives of state governments, other participants what the Power Sector Recovery Programme ( PSRC ) was about.

    The minister said some of the reform actions contained in the PSRC were already being undertaken at the Federal Government’s level.

    He, however, said that there were other areas of the reform where progress in the sector would be defined by what happened at the state and local government.

    He called on the state governments to champion advocacy in some areas of the reforms process in their states to further realise incremental power programme of the Federal Government.

    Fashola listed some of the advocacy required from states governments to their citizens to include:

    “State authorities should ensure that their residents comply with safety standard on building by not building on the right of way of 332/ 133, 33 and 11KVA lines.

    “States can also help by leading the advocacy for the residents to pay for the energy they fairly believe that they have consumed, while we continue to work to resolve the metering issues and estimated billing.

    “States should lead the advocacy for people to stop bypassing meters and stealing energy; energy theft happens in the municipal levels, not in the senate, not in the villa or the house of reps.”

    The minister urged the states to consider asking their attorney generals to review the financial jurisdiction limits of their various magistrates and area courts so that they could be able to try cases related to energy theft.

     

     

  • Distribute pre-paid meters to electricity customers, says Nasarawa Govt

    Distribute pre-paid meters to electricity customers, says Nasarawa Govt

    The Nasarawa State Government on Saturday called on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to distribute pre-paid meters to all electricity customers in the state.

    The State’s Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, made the call at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Lafia.

    Agara, represented by Mr Mohammed Wada, the Commissioner for Works and Transports, said that customers were short-changed through overbilling, estimated billing, among others.

    “The only way the customers will be satisfied is when they have pre-paid meters and sure that they only pay for electricity consumed.

    “The state government has donated land and offered to facilitate the installation of a 3000 KVA transformer in Lafia.

    “If the transformer is installed, it will go a long way in addressing the poor electricity supply in the state,’’ he said.

    Also, Moses Arigu, the NERC Commissioner in charge of Consumers Affairs, assured electricity consumers of the commission’s determination to ensure that distribution companies adhere to the operational guidelines.

    “The commission has concluded plans to open an office in Lafia for the consumers to channel their complaints for redress,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Christian Chime, the Acting Regional Manager of AEDC, apologised to electricity customers, for the problems they were going through due to poor electricity supply.

    Chime said that the company had taken their complaints and would soon address them to ensure improved electricity supply.

    He said that the company would embark on massive instillation of pre-paid meters in the state, urging the customers not to pay for its installation.

    Some of the customers, who spoke at the event, had complained about poor electricity supply in the state and total absence of electricity for more than three months in some areas.

  • Association raises concern over electricity tariff for hotels

    Association raises concern over electricity tariff for hotels

    The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) on Wednesday raised concerns over inflated electricity tariff issued to hoteliers across the country by various DISCOS.

    Mr Lanre Awoseyin, the President of the Association who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, appealed to the Federal Government for intervention.

    He said that such intervention will enable them stay in business, be more focused to be able to compete favourably with modern hotels across the world.

    Awoseyin said that hoteliers paid over 80 per cent of the revenue generated in a month in their distinct hotels as electricity bill.

    He said that the development was discouraging and that most operators considered opting out of the business.

    He said that rather than constantly increasing the power tariff, government should upgrade the quality of power supply.

    “At this stage of the nation’s development, government should try to boost every business within the country and not sabotage efforts of the hardworking hoteliers.

    “We want electricity to be supplied in its full voltage and minimum tariff should be charged.

    “We keep persuading our members not to embark on a peaceful protest because it is annoying to pay two million naira per month as electricity tariff.

    “We have written countless times to the various DISCO, state governors, presidency and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to no avail.

    “We will keep talking until something is done to bail us out,” Awoseyin said.