Mainpower DisCo secures 20 years operating license in Enugu from EERC
The Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has secured a 20 years operating license from the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) to provide electricity services in Enugu State.
Issuing the license in Enugu to Mainpower, the Chief Executive Officer of EERC, Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, said that “Mainpower is officially the first SubCo to be issued operating license” in Enugu State.
Okonkwo noted that the feat was made possible by the visionary leadership of Gov. Peter Mbah, who initiated and articulated the Enugu State Electricity Policy 2023 and pushed the enactment of the Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023.
According to him, Enugu State electricity market development provides for multiple players across various aspects of the electricity value chain.
“We are engaging with potential fuel suppliers, generation companies, distribution, electricity retailing companies, metering and other service providers to take advantage of the opportunities in Enugu State electricity market.
“The Enugu State electricity market model and arrangement is built on a willing buyer – willing seller commercially-viable structure that is guided with effective contracts – bilateral agreements or power purchase agreements,” he said.
Okonkwo noted that the commission was on course to achieve its primary responsibility of ensuring that customers are provided with electricity services that are available, reliable and sustainable from operators, while ensuring profitability for service providers.
“As the dominant player in the Enugu State electricity market, a lot is expected of Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited in the development of the electricity market model.
“Some of these included: Develop and grow your business in alignment with Enugu State electricity market policy as well as evolve your business to accommodate other players and boost competition across service areas,” he said.
Receiving and securing the license, the Managing Director of Mainpower, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, appreciated the EERC and Gov. Mbah for the confidence placed on Mainpower through the issuance of the full licence covering 20 years.
Mupwaya noted that the establishment of EERC and licensing of MainPower demonstrate Enugu State’s commitment to building a more responsive, efficient and sustainable electricity market under the new framework created by the Electricity Act.
“The success of any electricity market is ultimately determined by the performance of distribution companies.
“For this reason, transformational efforts within distribution companies must be supported by all stakeholders.
“Regulators must provide clear and predictable frameworks. Governments must continue to support sector reforms. Investors must provide the capital required for infrastructure development.
“Customers must support the system through responsible consumption and payment for electricity services,” he said.
According to him, MainPower recognise its responsibility and will focus on improving network reliability, accelerating metering programmes to enhance transparency, strengthening revenue assurance, and embracing digital transformation to improve operational efficiency.
The managing director assured EERC that it would place strong emphasis on customer engagement, customer satisfaction and customer feedback “as electricity distribution is not only a technical business but also a service”.