Nigerians have been experiencing improved power supply in recent weeks as buttressed by data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The daily tracker of Electricity generation in Nigeria shows supply peaked at a record high of 5,043 megawatts (MW) on Thursday, 1st September 2022, an 8.1% increase when compared to 4,664MW recorded a day before.
Electricity supply has been on an upward trend since the labour union strike action earlier in August, where electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) grounded the operations of the TCN, leading to a nationwide blackout, a move which saw DisCos lose an estimated N2.94 billion in potential revenue.
In the month of August, an average of 93,183MWh of electricity was supplied to consumers, as against an average of 86,221MWh sent out in the previous month. In the same vein, energy production has also been ramped up with a daily average generation of 94,281.68MWh in August.
Meanwhile, on the first day of September, a total of 102,875.3MWh of energy was generated, while 101,630MWh was supplied, representing 98.8% of the total generated electricity. Furthermore, the highest frequency recorded on Thursday was 51.1Hz, while the lowest frequency was 49.8Hz.
What consumers are saying
Some Nigerians who spoke to Nairametrics have expressed some level of satisfaction with the recent stability in the electricity supply in their areas, while some feared it could affect their transformers. Here is what they are saying:
- According to Taibat Towoboade who lives in Ikodoru, Lagos State, she explained that they now enjoy 23 hours of uninterrupted power supply in her house daily, which usually was around 15 hours of interrupted supply.
- “Usually, I would be worried to charge my gadgets and appliances, but lately, I do not have to worry about that, as it is almost certain that there will be light, and would only go off for 1 hour during the day,” she said.
- Tunde Akinyele a resident in Ogun State also noted the better state of power supply in his area. “To my surprise, we now have light for about 7 to 8 hours daily, that is like a miracle because it is usually about 3hrs in a day at best,” he said.
- “Although this comes with a downside, because now our transformers and cables are easily spoilt, when the power stays for longer than usual, which would take about two days before it is being repaired,” he added.
- Miss Omolabake, who lives in Agbado, Lagos State said she had a power supply for four days uninterrupted, which is something hardly seen in her area.
- On the other hand, a Twitter user with the account name @Maiomoko posted that some people living in Abuja allegedly complained to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) that the improved power supply is affecting their businesses.
- The post reads: “I heard some people somewhere went to complain in AEDC office that the regular power supply now is detrimental to their businesses. In Nigeria, by Nigerians.”
- While reacting to the post, @ayobamibe said, “How will phone charging, petrol sales, and generator repair sell well if there is constant light?” another said, “Omo whatever they did to our light is working, generator noise has reduced well enough to say thanks to those in charge of electricity.”
Why power is improving
Reports reaching Nairametrics indicate some of the reasons for improved power supply are not unconnected to some of the recent policy changes introduced earlier in the year.
Tariff Adjustments
A reduction in tariff shortfalls which has been the bane of investments in the power sector has also been a major factor in improved power supply.
- The first is the frequent increase in electricity tariffs which now complies with the requirements of the Multi-year Tariff Order (MYTO).
- Before now, electricity tariffs are increased only after the approval of the government leading to tariff subsidies or tariff shortfalls that have plagued the industry.
- However, since a policy review was conducted tariffs are increased every six months allowing the sector operates at a cost-reflective tariff.
Partial Activation
- Industry sources also point to the Partial Activation of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) which commenced in July as a major factor leading to an improved power supply.
- Sources explain that Partial Activation requires players in the sector to meet their minimum requirements.
- For example, the Power Generating Companies must generate as much power as is available in their contracted capacities. Failure to generate contracted power means they pay penalties.
- When power is generated, the Transmission company must be able to evacuate and wheel all the power generated. If they do not wheel all the power, they face penalties.
- And when power is wheeled, the distribution companies are expected to distribute all the power wheeled to them. Failure to meet that requirement exposes them to penalties.
- Details of the partial activation are detailed in this report from Oak Legal.
Central Bank
The final reason adduced for the improved power supply is billions of naira in central bank intervention funds lent to Discos for meters, CAPEX, and operational expenses.
- The CBN explained in its monetary policy committee meeting that the Cumulative disbursement under the NEMSF-2 currently stands at N254.46 billion.
- The bank explained that the money was given to Distribution Companies (DisCos) for their Operational Expenditure (OpEx) and Capital Expenditure (CapEx), under the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility – Phase 2 (NEMSF-2)
- A further N47.82 billion has been disbursed under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), for the procurement and installation of 865,956 meters across the country.
- Industry players indicate the funding has provided stability for Discos which is also resulting in improved power supply.
OR ARE YOU SURE IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN WATER LEVEL OF THE DAM WHICH WILL DROP AS THE RAIN STOPS?
Also, rainy season means a lower ambient temperature for the equipment to operate in. I doubt that the cables, lines and transformers have been maintained to accommodate the incoming dry season with its very hot temperatures. I mean take a look at road maintenance. Most of the roads in the suburbs are very bad right now because of the rains. When the dry season comes they will fix the roads and we wait for the next cycle. Fate of the black man.
So there was no rainy season before this year, because it’s not been happening in the past few years? Trust Nigerians to seek negativity from anything remotely positive in Nigeria…SMH
God bless you
It’s been raining since May/June, what changed?
Where is the improvement in electricity supply?. We have light only in the night. Is the definition of improvement?
I wish it could be as stable as what is present in well managed countries
Complaining about the stability of electricity is uncalled for in my opinion. Regarding equipment burning. This is an opportunity for us to upgrade our equipment and have stable light all day long. Look at countries like Qatar and UAE, saudi that are hotter then Nigeria. Why is Thier equipment not burning? Please let’s upgrade the equipment and have light so that industries can come back to life and impact positively to our economy.
Laudable but we can only hope and pray that this is sustainable.
Exactly, the rise in water levels arising from the raining season has increased the generation from the hydro power plants which is a regular occurrence during the raining season! When the rains are over we will know if power has actually improved!
Meanwhile kudos to AEDC and Transco for the improvement in power supply 👍
How much of our power comes from Hydroelectric as compared to gas fired turbines?
It’s because of improved distribution of pre-paid meters which facilitates economical use of power in that no more wastages which leads to reduced loads. By the time most Nigerians have prepaid meters, power will be surplus for industrial use which will attract investors towards industrialization and jobs.
I hope the multi year tariff order will be supported by a multi year salary order or a multi year income order. It is morally indefensible to increase tariffs for energy and telecom services when incomes are stagnated by the same government.
Many people aren’t government workers. It’s a market economy not a socialist one.
What we should ask is what are these people doing differently these days that give us improvement or what they need to do more to get us to where we ought to be. We should embrace new tech and maitain our equipment integrity.
Alhamdu lillah, I’m pleased to tell the readers that the 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power plant which was commenced in 2012 but was not funded by the then government was later took up by the present government and I can boldly tell you because I worked in the project for nothing less than six and a half years, the work will be 100% completed by December this year by the grace of God almighty. So, this and such others are the reason why we have upward increment in power supply
You all are jokers.. election is nearby that’s why the political fools tried to improve electricity stability… you all are foolish.. since 1960, light have never been stable, ordinary 2weeks light, una don post am all over the internet.. fuck Nigeria. We want Peter Obi for real change. You people should stop this madness
If you what to insult politicians go ahead and do that but not my country.
I strongly believe it is because election is around the corner……..
Why are we as a people so satisfied with below par performance? It’s admirable that we’ve had a small increase in generation and transmission, but we are very very far from where we should be. Let’s hold our leaders and other relevant stakeholders accountable. This should be the beginning not the end.
It’s true… Election is around the corner and they’re trying to use every means to colonize the common man conscience
But here in kwamba, timbershed we hardly get light but suleja have light for about 3week now pls help us timbershed and kwamba
Niger state
In Akoko Edo there is no light oo igarra precisely those nepas are just been wicked
The reason for the improvement is because election is at the corner 🙄🙄
What we should ask is what are these people doing differently these days that give us improvement or what they need to do more to get us to where we ought to be. We should embrace new tech and maitain our equipment integrity.
@Justin we should celebrate our small wins….right now power distribution has really increased. They are now afraid of the present government under Tinubu. So many of them are afraid of suspension, sack or even a probe. Everybody is working harder now…. let’s see if they can sustain it.