Tag: Electricity

By Flowerbudnews

The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has issued an electricity generation license to Tempo Power Solutions Ltd. for a five mega-watt gas-fired power generation plant to be sited in Enugu State.

The electricity generating plant, which would be first of its kind in use of modern technology, would serve commercial and residential concerns within Enugu metropolis and a possibility of expansion.

Issuing the license on Thursday in Enugu, the Chairman of EERC, Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, said that the event reflects growing confidence that private sector players have in the Gov. Peter Mbah vision in creating conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

According to Okonkwo, we acknowledge that this transformation was initiated by visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, Executive Governor of Enugu State through the Enugu State Electricity Policy 2023 and enactment of the Enugu State Electricity Law in 2023.

“Following a six-month transition period, we successfully completed the transfer of regulatory oversight from the national regulator (NERC) to EERC on Oct. 22, 2024.

“Since then, we have issued interim licenses to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited and a 10MW (10 mega-watt) power generation license to Fedikore Limited; currently working with stakeholders to explore the vast opportunities within the Enugu State electricity sector.

“EERC have successfully resolved
over 60 customer complaint issues. We are reviewing four license applications covering
generation, electricity distribution and electricity retail,’ he said.

Okonkwo noted that “it is clear Enugu State is open for energy business” adding that EERC want investors and developers as well as stakeholders in the electricity business to harness the wealth of natural energy resources in the state.

“Our development-focused governor had invested heavily on security of lives and property; invested heavily in network of access roads; solid regulatory framework and doing more to ensure that the state attract high net worth individuals and businesses,” he noted.

The chairman lauded Tempo Power Solutions for swiftly taking advantage of this opportunity offered by the conducive
investment climate in Enugu State, engaged an offtaker and successfully completed the application process for the generation license.

“Their project is a model of proactive engagement and strategic partnership, and the successful deployment of this five mega-watt (5MW) power plant is a collective win for all of us.

“We are confident that as the market grows, Tempo Power Solutions will continue to scale up its capacity,” he said.

Responding, the Exective Director of Tempo Power Solutions Limited, Mr Collins Kalabare, appreciated the government and people of Enugu State for envisioning and wanting rapid development by embracing uninterrupted power supply.

“As a reputable and responsible company, we are offering uninterrupted electricity supply, cost reflective tariff and electricity supply meant to add value to commercial and residential concerns as well as grow businesses and general economy of the state.

“I must appreciate the EERC for the professional, business-minded and openness of their processes and operations. The process is seamless and you do not need to known anybody.

“EERC is indeed working according to the vision and speed of Gov Peter Mbah, who we have learnt is in a hurry to develop and make Enugu State economy grow and uplift the general status of residents and businesses,” he said.

By Flowerbudnews

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art electricity project in Onu-Orie, Obuno Autonomous Community in Akpugo within Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Inaugurating the multi-million naira electricity project executed by a leading industrialist, Dr Basil Ogbuanu, at the weekend, Nnaji assured the people of the community of more people-oriented projects.

Nnaji noted that he would attract more human capital development projects in terms of employment to complement the existing ones he had attracted to the Akpugo axis of the state, which included the Obuno autonomous community.

According to him, I do not have money to give, but I can provide human capital development, infrastructure and projects that will impact the people as I have already given more than 100 people from Akpugo axis employment.

He said, “I will encourage our people to keep supporting all Federal Government programmes and policies, always designed to make life easier, better and safer for them.

“I want to thank Dr Basil Ogbuanu, Chairman of Second Coming Nigeria Limited, for this 300 KVA transformer, energizing it and doing electricity reticulation of the entire community.

“I want to encourage other wealthy and philanthropic individuals to emulate him as this is a vital support/complement not only to the people but to the government as well in order to hasten up development of the community.”

The minister said that he had noted the complaint of lack of government presence in the community, adding that he would see what he would do to open up major access roads of the community and bring human capital development.

Earlier, Ogbuanu, who is also a Pastor with Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, said that he was motivated to embark on the project to make “an impact in the lives of his people since we are all pilgrims”.

“I want to make impacts and so that when I leave, I will be remembered by the impacts I have made. Not just on building amenities but on the number of lives those amenities touched and changed their socioeconomic status.

“The project will lighten-up all homes in Onu Orie Obuno and provide needed constant electricity for artisans and craftsmen to be meaningfully engaged as well as make a living and be comfortable residing here.

“It is a way of paying back to the society (now my community), as God has blessed and given me grace to excel to the height He placed me today,” he said.

Ogbuanu, who did not disclose the cost of the project, noted that “it is purely for my people and what my people have given to me before now cannot be quantified”.

He called for government presence in the community and the government ensuring that quality education is given to all in order to bridge the gap between the children of the rich and poor.

The Vice Chairman of the community, Chief Chijioke Nwobodo, said that electrification would open up the community commercially as more people would want to open shops and invest in the community.

Nwobodo appreciated Ogbuanu for the gesture as well as the fortune he must have spent to fix electricity in the community and making life more meaningful to the people of the community.

“I will appeal to the Honourable Minister to use his good office to wipe away our tears due to the age of neglect by bringing viable and people-impactful projects and programmes to this community,” the vice chairman said.

The Traditional Ruler of Obuno, Akpugo, Igwe Jacob Nwatu, thanked Ogbuanu for the gesture and personal concern for the welfare and well-being of the people of the community.

“Ogbuanu is a source of inspiration and someone that keeps ensuring that good things of life come the way of our people. Just some years ago, he installed solar-powered streetlights and gave scholarships in the community,” Nwatu said.

A youth in the community, Mr Collins Ani, appreciated Ogbuanu for the gesture and making the community comfortable for youths to carry out their business enterprises such as welding, barbing, relaxation points and cold room among others.

High-points of the event were the observation of a minute silence for the departed chairman of the community; and Ogbuanu awarding the demised chairman’s first son scholarship to university level.

..summons TCN, NERC leaderships to emergency meeting

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu haa summoned the leaderships of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) to an emergency meeting over incessant collapse of the national grid.

The national grid collapse which threw some sections of the country into darkness twice within the week is said to have become a source of worry for the Minister.

The Minister expressed displeasure at the incident, which he said, was capable of rubbishing the giant strides made in the last one year which has led to an increased generation and distribution of 5, 527 megawatts, a record generation in three years.

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Honourable Minister of Power said in a statement that the Ministry has also constituted a forensic investigation committee with a mandate to advise the government on necessary solutions to make the national grid robust and reliable.

The statement said this is in addition to the ongoing efforts of the government like the Presidential Power Initiatives (PPI) and the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP).

“The Committee is to also establish the root cause of both incidents, especially a review of potential sabotage on the system.

“The Committee will holistically review the national grid stability and identify investments and technical capacities required to make the grid smart and resilient.



” In addition, a technical team has been deployed to access the critical nodes on the national grid to identify potential vulnerabilities and proffer recommendations to address these vulnerabilities to prevent future disruptions to the grid.

“On Monday, October 14, there was a partial collapse due to the tripping of a line at the Jebba Transmission Substation and recurring fault at the Osogbo Transmission Substation.

” Efforts to restore the grid further resulted in a setback the following day.

“The System was, however, fully restored on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

“There was no grid collapse on Tuesday as was widely speculated as the setback was a continuation of Monday’s restoration efforts on the grid.

“Also what was described on Saturday, October 19, as grid collapse was a deliberate protective shut down of the grid as a result of the explosion of the Jebba transformer.

“And this was restored within two hours. “ What we had were more of grid disturbances than collapses”.

“Preliminary assessment of Jebba incident suggested that the explosion was as a result of ageing equipment unrelated to the initial collapse.

“The six-member committee are; Engr. Nafisat Ali, Executive Director, Independent System Operator (ISO), who leads the committee, Dr. Chidi Ike, Commissioner, NERC, Engr. Ishola (GM. National Control Centre (NCC), Engr. Emmanuel Nosike, Director, Transmission, Federal Ministry of Power (FMoP), Engr. Ali Sharifai (GM, Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and Mr Adedayo Olowoniyi, Chief Technical Adviser to the Minister of Power.

“The team is expected to present a report to the Honourable Minister by November 1, 2024.”

By Danladi Ahmed

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has instructed all Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to establish a portal on their website by April 10, 2024.

This portal will enable customers to verify their current Bands by entering either their meter or account numbers.

DisCos have been instructed by NERC to carry out the following updates:

1. All Distribution Companies must make sure that they exclusively use the recently approved Band A feeders identified in their April 2024 additional orders as Band A for selling electricity to prepaid customers and for charging postpaid customers on their networks.

2. All Distribution Companies must promptly publish on their websites the list of authorized Band A feeders impacted by the rate assessment.

3. By April 10th, 2024, each DisCo should establish an online platform on their website where customers can view their current Band by providing their meter or account numbers.

4. All clients who were incorrectly charged at the updated rate will receive reimbursement in the form of energy tokens by Thursday, April 11, 2024. Must provide the proof of adherence to the Commission by April 12, 2024.

5. The Commission will carefully oversee adherence to the stated requirements and will persist in offering assistance to all involved parties as needed. (Flowerbudnews)

By Constance Athekame

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Wednesday said that the Federal Government (FG) paid a total of N135.23 billion to subsidise electricity consumption in the second quarter of 2023.

This was made known in the commission’s Q2,  2023 report pasted on its website in Abuja.

NERC said that the  N135.23 billion was spent by the Federal Government to plug revenue generation shortfall in the power sector in the period under review.

It said that this indicated an increase of N99.21 billion, representing 275 per cent compared to the N36 billion it paid in the  quarter I of 2023,

The report stated that the government incurred a subsidy obligation of N135.23 billion in 2023/Q2, which is substantially higher than the N36.02 billion it incurred in 2023/Q1.

”The government incurred a subsidy obligation of N135.23 billion in 2023/Q2, which is an increase of N99.21 billion 275 per cent compared to the N36.02 billion incurred in 2023/Q1, ”it said.

The commission stated that the subsidy was due to the absence of cost-reflective tariffs across all distribution companies.

It said that the increase recorded in the period was a result of the government’s policy to harmonise exchange rate.

The report said that on the  average, subsidy obligation incurred by the government per month was N45.08 billion in Q2 2023.

NAN

By Aisha Gambo