TheNewsGuru

Tag: Electricity

  • AEDC opens up over power outage in parts of Abuja

    AEDC opens up over power outage in parts of Abuja

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced that its technical team is working tirelessly to restore power to parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) currently experiencing an outage.

    The company made this known in a statement on its X handle in Abuja on Monday.

    It listed the affected areas as including Utako, Wuye, Jabi, Airport, NJI, NARSDA, NABDA, Lugbe Shoprite, Riverpark Estate, War College, Dunamis, NIGCOMSAT, and Nigeria-Korea Model School.

    Other affected areas include Lugbe Primary, Zuma Steel, Kapwa Village, NIA Junior/Senior, Tipper Garage, Tudu Wada, Peace Village, Video Club, CRD, 1R, T-Pumpy Estate, New Site, Back of Dunamis, Jedo, and Forte Royal Estate.

    The company also noted that customers in Aso Drive, NSA, NASS, NJC, FJC, Supreme Court, WuBassy Barracks, Army War College, Mambila Barracks, Yara Dua Barracks, DIA, Niger Barracks, Lungi & Agu Ironsi Barracks, and surrounding areas were affected.

    According to the statement, AEDC regretted to inform its customers that the power outage in these areas was due to a technical fault on the feeder serving them.

    The company assured that its dedicated technical team was working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.

    “Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” it said.

  • NLC rejects migration of lower electricity tariffs to band A

    NLC rejects migration of lower electricity tariffs to band A

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected plans by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to migrate electricity consumers from lower tariffs to Band A.

    This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC held in Yola, Adamawa State.

    The communique, jointly signed by

    Mr Joe Ajaero, President of NLC and Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    The labour leaders said NEC “unequivocally” rejected the ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers by the NERC.

    They said the plan to migrate consumers from lower bands to band A under the guise of service improvement would lead to unjustified extortion of the masses and economic hardship for the working class and broader Nigerian populace.

    According to them, the migration would further deepen the misery of Nigerians.

    “Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable,

    “The NEC-in-session warned that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases would be met with mass resistance.

    “The Congress resolved to immediately mobilise for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise,” they said

    The labour leaders also said that NEC  acknowledged the agreement reached between NLC and the federal government through the Joint 10-Man Committee, which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50 to 35 per cent.

    They said NEC resolved that if the agreement us not implemented by March 1, it will direct its National Administrative Council (NAC) to deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance.

    On the State of the Labour Party, they said NEC-in-session directed the National Administrative Council (NAC) to take some immediate steps.

    The steps, according to the labour leaders, included,  rebranding, merger or forming of coalitions to defend the interests of NLC and Nigerian workers in the Party with a view to reclaiming the Party and returning it to its original ideological roots.

    They said the congress would not allow the Labour Party to be hijacked by reactionary forces who do not represent the aspirations of the working people and broader Nigerian

    They urged workers to remain resolute, organised, and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria.

  • Electricity tariffs: Why we are yet to migrate Band B, C customers to A – FG

    Electricity tariffs: Why we are yet to migrate Band B, C customers to A – FG

    The Federal Government (FG) has disclosed why electricity customers in Band B and C are yet to be migrated to Band A.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu made the disclosure on Thursday at the Public Presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan in Abuja.

    He made the disclosure while revealing the government plans to regularise electricity tariffs of Bands B, C and A customers to ensure a more efficient and reliable power sector.

    The National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan were put in place by the Ministry with the support from UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF).

    Under the current structure, customers in Band B, who enjoy 18 to 17 hours of electricity supply, pay N63 per kilowatt-hour.

    Those in Band A, with only two hours more of supply, are charged N209 per kilowatt-hour

    Adelabu said that in 2024, the power sector adopted a cost reflective tariff for a portion of electricity consumers about 15 per cent, it might look small but it is a way forward.

    “It was a pilot and a proof of concept which I believe it had worked the people that are enjoying 20 to 24 hours  of electricity supply in a day   are happy.

    “They are satisfied in spite of the fact that they are paying N209 per kilowatt-hour as they believe they are better off than when using generators.

    “We believe that as we continue to work on revamping our distribution and transmission infrastructure, more and more people will be migrated to Band A,“ he said.

    Adelabu said by migrating some customers to Band A, the power sector recorded a 70 per cent growth in its revenue from N1.05 trillion in 2024  to about N1.7 trillion.

    The minister said: “We will look at the tariff again. I am not saying that we’re going to increase the tariff before I am misquoted.

    “We are going to look at the tariff and see how we can improve on our modest achievement of 2024 not only to grow the sector revenue.

    “But to also ensure that we are able to invest more in revamping the dilapidated infrastructure in the power sector so that they can carry the kind of reliable electricity we envisage for the power sector.

    “We thought the migration of Band B and C customers would be faster than this but the Electricity distribution Companies (DisCos) have refused to invest in the power sector,” he said.

    According to him, a lot of investment was required to achieve accelerated migration of lower-band customers into Band A.

    He said that the regularisation of the tariff Band B and C customers to Band A would be done at a slow pace.

  • Light returns to Kaduna as KAEDCO settles rift with labour unions

    Light returns to Kaduna as KAEDCO settles rift with labour unions

    Management of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), has restored power supply to Kaduna and all its franchise states.

    The firm has also promised to review its past actions. These were parts of resolutions reached after Gov. Uba Sani convened a meeting with both parties on Friday.

    It will be recalled that the labour unions of Kaduna Electric had embarked on an industrial action since Sunday,.

    This followed the decision of  the management to sack 444 workers, thereby plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States in darkness, following power outage.

    At the end of the meeting, Sani promised to be the ‘Guarantor’ as he would ensure fairness to both sides, after  both parties agreed to  sit down and take a joint decision.

    “The Unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended  the management, ably led by Dr Umar Abubakar-Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.

    The unions also posited that the management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it  to succeed.

    The parties also maintained that both the management of the firm and the labour unions were partners in progress, adding,”what happened was as a result of a  breakdown in communication.”

    The meeting also argued that there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.

    The resolution  was signed by  Abubakar-Hashidu, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President(Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees(NUEE) and Mr Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

    Other union members that signed the resolution included Mr Muhammed Musa, Deputy President, North, NUEE and  Mr Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).

    Mr Idris Ahmed-Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.

  • Frequent electricity tariffs hike hurting us – Manufacturers cry out

    Frequent electricity tariffs hike hurting us – Manufacturers cry out

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has stated that frequent increases in electricity tariffs are hindering the performance of the manufacturing sector and the nation’s economic growth.

    Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, expressed this concern in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.

    Ajayi-Kadir stressed that electricity is a crucial input in manufacturing, significantly affecting production costs and product prices.

    He emphasised that no nation could achieve substantial industrial development without ensuring energy security.

    According to him, any increase in tariff will harm the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses.

    He warned that the such would worsen production costs, intensify inflationary pressure, and further reduce consumers’ disposable income.

    Ajayi-Kadir added that it would increase manufacturers’ unsold inventory, erode profit margins, raise unemployment, and force more private businesses to shut down.

    “It was due to the critical role of energy security in Nigeria’s industrial aspirations that the power sector was privatised in 2013. Unfortunately, this privatisation has not delivered the expected results,” he said.

    The MAN DG noted that the sector struggles because operators lack both technical and financial capacity to ensure optimal performance.

    He highlighted that Nigeria’s installed electricity capacity has consistently been around 10,000MW.

    Yet, he noted, this capacity remains underutilised due to the limited ability of GenCos and DisCos to generate and distribute sufficient electricity nationwide.

    “Despite failing to meet demand, there have been continuous tariff increases without a corresponding improvement in supply quality.

    “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), electricity supply was 5,909.83GWh in Q2 2023 but dropped to 5,769.52GWh in Q1 2024 and 5,612.52GWh in Q2 2024.

    “This decline followed the implementation of a tariff increase exceeding 230 per cent.

    “This represents a 5.03 per cent year-on-year decrease and a 2.72 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline,” he said.

    Ajayi-Kadir noted that MAN has repeatedly called for an increase in electricity supply beyond the average 4,000MW provided daily to over 200 million Nigerians.

    He stressed that Nigeria requires more than 30,000MW to adequately meet the growing demand from businesses and households.

    The MAN DG urged the government to review the performance of DisCos following the recent tariff increase.

    He called for a study on its impact on the manufacturing sector, businesses, and households.

    He also urged the government to critically assess DisCos’ cost-reflective tariff model and audit their investment in distribution infrastructure.

    The Federal Government has, however, debunked reports suggesting an imminent 65 per cent increase in electricity tariffs.

    The government clarified that its focus remains on improving power supply, ensuring targeted subsidies, and expanding metering nationwide.

  • 50 years after, Yandadi community gets electricity

    50 years after, Yandadi community gets electricity

    Yandadi, a community in Kusada Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State has been connected to electricity, 50 years after its establishment.

    The Council Chairman, Alh. Rabiu Aliyu-Kusada, stated this in Kusada on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists.

    The Chairman was represented by Alh. Haruna Abubakar, Director of Works in the local government.

    He explained that the community, home to thousands of residents, had been in darkness for decades.

    However, Gov. Dikko Radda’s administration recently connected the area to the national grid.

    The Chairman also revealed that Radda’s administration had reconnected several areas previously cut off due to damage from downpours.

    Speaking to journalists, community member, Malam Baba Audu, expressed gratitude, saying, “We had only seen poles passing through our community without light.

    “Now, for the first time in over 50 years, we have electricity. We are happy.”

    Malam Bala Wanzan, a local barber, said he was thrilled to see electricity in the community for the first time in history.

    He added that the new development would boost the local economy, stating, “With this, I’ll be able to use my clippers and become a modern barber.”

    In another development, the state government has begun constructing a bridge linking over 10 communities in Ingawa LGA.

    The ongoing project at Dan-Ashita village, awarded by the state government, is expected to be completed soon.

    Residents, including motorcycle riders, interviewed in the area, commended the government, saying their suffering would soon be over.

    Malam Hamisu Ashita, a motorcycle rider, explained that during the rainy season, they often had to abandon the route and find an alternative, sometimes through Jigawa state.

    He expressed appreciation for the government’s intervention, adding: “Once the bridge is completed, it will end our long-standing challenges in transporting farm produce to the market.”

  • Electricity workers embark on indefinite strike in Kaduna

    Electricity workers embark on indefinite strike in Kaduna

    The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Kaduna State Council, began an indefinite strike on Monday.

    This was in protest over the alleged termination of 900 staff from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

    The workers, carrying placards, blocked the entrance to the company’s corporate headquarters. They prevented both employees and customers from entering the premises.

    They accused the management of failing to pay death and retirement benefits, contrary to the conditions of service.

    Zonal Organising Secretary for the Northwest, Pukat Ayuba, stated that the strike would continue until the company rescinds the termination letters and pays the benefits owed.

    Ayuba added, “A year ago, we shut down Kaduna Electric’s premises over staff issues, including pension and welfare. One year later, nothing has been resolved.”

    He further said, “The termination of 900 staff, disregarding the conditions of service, is unacceptable. It worsens Nigeria’s growing problems.”

    Meanwhile, a letter from Kaduna Electric’s management, signed by Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, was issued on Jan. 31. It directed affected workers to return company’s property.

    The letter also stated that severance packages were being arranged and that the workers’ services were no longer required, effective Jan. 31.

  • Electricity: Lagos govt moves to end estimated billing

    Electricity: Lagos govt moves to end estimated billing

    The Lagos State Government has promised to bring an end to estimated electricity billing  to relieve residents suffering  inflated electricity charges.

    The government also promised  to tackle other challenges plaguing the state’s energy sector.

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the promise at the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange Meeting held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday.

    The meeting had the theme: “Building a Competitive Electricity Marketplace: Strategies to Attract Investments and Boost Confidence in the Lagos Electricity Market Using the Capital Market”.

    The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

    Sanwo-Olu re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Lagos would become a model for electricity market transformation in Africa.

    He emphasised the importance of creating a competitive, reliable and investor-friendly electricity market.

    According to him, the essence is to make sure that everybody has power and reduces the amount of money spent on generators.

    “By so doing, the environment is clean.  It is a win-win situation for all,” he said.

    The governor said that, to achieve the goal, the state government was implementing policies to encourage private sector participation.

    He added that the state would improve regulatory oversight and build investor confidence in the Lagos electricity market.

    Sanwo-Olu added that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment which would encourage investments in power infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.

    The governor said that, with the Lagos State Electricity Law in place, the government was  taking decisive steps to decentralise power generation order to achieve transformation in the sector.

    He added that such would boost private sector participation and foster a more dynamic and efficient energy marketplace.

    “We will introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and provide accurate electricity charges.

    “We will leverage the capital market to finance large-scale energy projects through instruments such as energy bonds, power purchase agreements, and electricity derivatives,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu urged financial institutions, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to work collaboratively in leveraging the capital market for energy sector growth.

    He said: “By implementing these strategies, our aim is to build a competitive, reliable and sustainable electricity marketplace that serves the needs of the people and businesses.”

    Earlier, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, unveiled plans to revolutionise the state’s energy sector.

    Ogunleye said that the Clean Lagos Electricity Market initiative was designed to eradicate blackouts across the state.

    Ogunleye outlined a multi-step approach, including establishment of robust market institutions, to achieve the goal.

    The commissioner noted the need to deploy cutting-edge tools, enhance value chain delivery capacity and attract new investments.

    According to him, a key component of the strategy is construction of five energy hubs  aimed at significantly boosting power  capacity.

    Ogunleye emphasised the importance of collaboration among the government, the private sector, individuals and other stakeholders to ensure equitable power distribution across geographical areas and demographics.

    “The state government is committed to ensuring that power capacity goes up drastically in the state as the government is building a total of five energy hubs.

    “We, therefore, call on the private sector, individuals and  other stakeholders to support the government in its bid to create and ensure that power supply is well-distributed irrespective of geographical areas,” he said.

    Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said the collaboration among capital market operators, government agencies and development finance institutions was crucial for unlocking the full potential of market-based financing for the power sector.

    He was represented by the organisation’s Executive Commissioner, Operations, Mr Bola Ajomale.

    He urged  regulators, policymakers, investors, market operators and other stakeholders to deepen  collaboration and leverage the capital market as a catalyst for transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector.

    Agama gave the assurance that SEC would continue to implement policies which would foster a stable and efficient market, ensuring that investors and issuers would operate in a well-regulated and secure environment.

  • Electricity supply: Why we could not achieve power generation target – Minister

    Electricity supply: Why we could not achieve power generation target – Minister

    Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Monday said that power generation in the country increased by about 30 per cent in 2024 but that the target for power generation of 6,000 megawatts was not achieved.

    Adelabu made the disclosure during his ministry’s 2025 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Power at the National Assembly complex.

    He said that when he assumed the leadership of the ministry in 2023, he met an average of 4,100 megawatts of power generation.

    “I can tell you authoritatively that by the end of 2024, we had a peak generation of 5,528 megawatts of power from 4,100 megawatts that we met on ground.

    “And the reason for this is not far fetched. We added a new hydroelectric power dam, Zungeru, with 700 megawatts.

    “There was also a tremendous increase in the generation lines by other existing generation companies,” he said.

    The minister said that the target for power generation was 6,000 megawatts, adding, however, that due to the challenges experienced toward the end of 2024 in terms of grid collapses, the ministry missed the target by minimal margin.

    He further said that apart from energy access expansion, the sector had plans to stabilise the grid and other transmission infrastructure.

    “I’m happy to also inform you that out of the eight collapses of the national grid that we experienced during 2024, five were full collapses, while three were partial collapses.

    “Out of the five full collapses, three were actually due to generation problems. So, as against the 12 collapse that were publicised, it was just about eight collapses.

    “We have been trying very hard to ensure that we manage the grid that was inherited. Unfortunately, it is still very old. It is dilapidated. And we are just managing it until we are able to fix it permanently.

    “This is the focus of the Presidential Power Initiative, to ensure that the entire grid is revamped so that we won’t be having all this vandalism.

    “So these are the summaries of our activities. And we are proud to say that we almost met all our targets for 2024.

    “Our hope is that 2025 will be a better year for us, and we will be able to address all the existing issues in the sector,” he said.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe, questioned the government’s continuous funding of power distribution companies (discos), suggesting a review of their contracts and possible government reclamation if the inefficiencies persisted.

    The committee asked the minister to return at a later date with all discos to discuss contract performance and obligations.

  • 16-day power outage begins in FCT Abuja today

    16-day power outage begins in FCT Abuja today

    The 16-day load shedding for some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced from today 6th of January 2024 as announced by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    Recall that AEDC had announced the power interruption in parts of its franchise areas that will last until January 21.

    It was gathered that the load shedding was as a result of the relocation of the 33 KiloVolt (KV) DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

    AEDC listed areas to be affected during the period to include Lugbe and environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church.

    “Other areas are American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC headquarters, Coca Cola, Railway, Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

    ”Parts of Apo, Parts of Gudu, Gbazango and environs, Parts of Kubwa, Bwari and environs, Parts of Jahi, Parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi and environs, and other parts of Abuja.

    ”We are working  round  the  clock  to  reduce  downtime  as much as possible,  and regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” it said.

    No light from 9am to 4pm daily – TCN

    Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the  rationing of power supply as announced by AEDC.

    Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’S General Manager,  Public Affairs made the confirmation in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    Mbah confirmed that the rationing would be due to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)’s road dualisation project along the Apo axis.

    She said that eight number of 132 Kilovolt (kV) and 33kV towers would be relocated along the Kukwaba/Apo 132kV line (Outer Southern Expressway route).

    Mbah confirmed the areas to be affected to include Kubwa, Karu, Maraba, Nyanya, Masaka, Keffi, Kukwaba, and Apo Mechanic.

    According to her, the power rationing will  also affect parts of Lugbe, Trademore Estate, Pyakasa, Sabon Lugbe Chika and  Alaita axis.

    “This relocation work will necessitate a planned power outage from 6th  to 20th January from 9am to 4pm daily, which is the estimated duration for the dismantling and construction of the towers.

    “It will also allow for the restringing of the power cables that will enable resumption of bulk power supply to the Apo Transmission Substation from Gwagwalada Substation.

    “While the relocation of the transmission towers is a necessity for the road completion project, TCN apologises for the inconvenience this planned power outage will cause,” she said.

    Mbah assured  customers that power supply would be restored as soon as the towers relocation and cable stringing were completed.