The governments of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi are currently making progress in improving electricity to boost economies in their various states.

A survey on how states explore energy options to generate power for mini-grids shows that the three states have embarked on various projects to improve electricity in their areas.

The agency reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently gave six states the authority to regulate their electricity markets. The states are Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo and Edo.

In Enugu State, the government has licensed Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited as its new distribution company and Fedikore Limited as a generation company.

The chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chijioke Okonkwo, said that Fedikore Limited, a GenCo and the state’s first independent power producer, would generate about 10MW gas-powered electricity.

Mr Okonkwo said that the newly-licensed GenCo would provide an off-grid10 Megawatts gas-powered electricity solution for distribution to industrial hub areas, highbrow residential areas, and the envisaged Enugu New Smart City.

He said that with the functional Enugu State Electrification Law 2023 and the state electrification master plan. He also mentioned that it was envisaged that more investors in the electricity sector would be coming to the state after it had made its law and master plan spelt out.

The Advocacy for Socio-Economic, Cultural and Political Rights, an NGO, commended Governor Peter Mbah for his foresight in pushing Enugu State Electrification Law 2023 passed and signed and adding the state electrification master plan to it.

Christian Udechukwu, the Commissioner for Industry in Anambra, said the government is trying to evolve a competitive electricity market to ensure 24-hour power supply in the state. 

Mr Udechukwu, who spoke in Awka, said the legal framework was currently being worked on in two bills at the State House of Assembly, which were in line with the liberalisation of the nation’s power sector.

He said the two bills, including the Power Policy Bills and the Bill for Establishment of Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, have reached an advanced stage of the legislative process.

The commissioner said the current electricity pricing could not support the quantum of industrialisation expected in the state.

Meanwhile, key stakeholders in the electricity sector have recommended solar power for regular electricity supply.

Caleb Agbo, a stakeholder, urged the state government to invest massively in solar power energy to distribute electricity efficiently.

Mr Agbo added that proper appraisal such as financial involvement, manufacturers, installers, investors among others, should be carried out to enable them take off.

“Though solar power is capital intensive, it will ensure regular supply of power, boost businesses and address challenges associated with power distribution,” Mr Agbo said.

Chibuzo Okafor, a businessman, suggested that the renewable energy project, the power transmission at Ochudo Centenary City, should be expanded.

Mr Okafor stressed the need for major stakeholders and the government to show more commitment to energy security, maintenance and paying electricity bills to sustain supply. He added that it would boost and address the frequent collapse in electricity supply.

According to him, vandalism has been the country’s energy supply bane.
Mr John Nwite, another stakeholder, alleged that construction of solar-powered mini-grids in some selected communities in the central senatorial district of the state with a project code of ERGP20243414 under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources had yet to commence.

An energy expert, Chinedu Igwe, recalled that Governor Francis Nwifuru recently announced eight new transformers which have been successfully installed in the Afikpo LGA to address the power outage that had plagued the area for 13 years. 

Mr Igwe said a new substation on the Amasiri axis and transformer installations had been completed to support a consistent power supply. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to restoring power to the affected communities and building their power plant to prevent the national power grid collapse.

(NAN)