Enugu State Assumes Full Regulation Of Electricity Market.
The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has officially taken over full regulatory oversight of the state’s electricity market, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s power sector. This development follows the expiration of the transition period, which saw the transfer of authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the state-level regulator.
Enugu is now the first state in Nigeria to develop a sub-national electricity market, paving the way for others to follow. As part of this move, the EERC issued operational licences to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), to manage electricity distribution in the state. Additionally, the first Independent Power Project (IPP) in Enugu, Fedikore Limited, received approval to construct a 10MW power plant.
This milestone comes after the enactment of the Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023, which granted the state authority over its electricity market. Enugu’s six-month transition period concluded on Tuesday, empowering the EERC to oversee all aspects of electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and retail, including Mini-Grid and Off-Grid solutions.
Chijioke Okonkwo, the Chairman of the EERC, described the event as a groundbreaking moment for Nigeria and the African continent. “Today marks the beginning of the development of sub-national electricity markets, not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa and beyond,” he stated. Okonkwo commended NERC for laying the groundwork and expressed confidence in EERC’s ability to build upon this foundation to deliver reliable and sustainable electricity to the people of Enugu.
He emphasised the commission’s mission to provide cost-effective electricity while promoting innovation and fairness within the sector. Okonkwo also praised Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for allowing the EERC to operate independently, free from political interference.
Kester Enwereonu, a Board member of Mainpower Electricity Distribution Ltd, assured the residents of Enugu of improved electricity services, while Dr. Chukwueloka Umeh, Founder and CEO of Fedikore Ltd, hailed the progress as revolutionary. Umeh expressed his company’s commitment to working with the EERC and the state to drive industrial growth through enhanced power infrastructure.
With this historic step, Enugu State is set to transform its electricity sector, potentially setting a new standard for power management across the region.
