17 Independent Power Distributors Get Licences, 10 Operational
The Federal Government has licensed 17 Independent Electricity Distribution Networks (IEDN) providers, 10 of which were operational as of December 2022, according to a recent report by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),
The Commission published the paper titled 2022 Market Competition paper on Tuesday, October 3.
NERC said, “All the 11 successor Discos (distribution companies) have been privatised. Ownership and management of the Discos have been transferred to private investors.
“Additional private distribution company has been licensed in a specified franchised area. 17 Independent Electricity Distribution Networks’ operators have been licenced, of which 10 are operational as at December 2022.
“The regulator explained that the market competition report was prepared in compliance with Section 24(2) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2004, which mandates the commission to prepare an annual report for the minister as to the potential for competition in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
“This report provides a review of the level of competition in the NESI and assesses the progress for a transition to a more competitive market. The report further provides recommendations for transition to a more competitive market pursuant to Section 26 of ESPRA.”
According to the Commission, the report is directed at a wide spectrum of readers including government officials and institutions, private sector, energy economists, engineers, financial and market analysts, potential investors as well as general readers.
