Precious Anga
Lagos — The Federal Government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies, DisCos, on plans to establish dedicated energy zones that could deliver round-the-clock electricity to major commercial and industrial centres across three economic corridors.
The proposed zones will initially cover the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, where the government aims to align electricity infrastructure with high and growing demand.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, held a strategic meeting with the leadership of selected DisCos and other industry players to develop the framework for implementing the proposed 24-hour power supply zones.
The initiative is designed to address a major constraint in Nigeria’s electricity market: the inability of the distribution segment to take up available power and deliver it effectively to consumers, particularly in areas with substantial commercial and industrial demand.
Tegbe said resolving the electricity challenge required more than increasing generation and strengthening transmission infrastructure, stressing that distribution capacity must also improve if available electricity is to reach end-users.
The proposed energy zones are expected to concentrate infrastructure investments and other interventions in areas with significant electricity demand, while creating conditions for more predictable power supply to households, businesses and industries.
According to the Federal Government, the approach could also unlock latent commercial and industrial demand and strengthen the revenue and electricity collection capacity of participating DisCos.
The Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor were selected as the initial focus areas because of their concentration of businesses, manufacturers, government institutions and other large electricity consumers.
The discussions also considered the ability of participating DisCos to take up additional electricity and distribute it to customers within the proposed zones, as well as the infrastructure required to support the model.
Tegbe has maintained that adding more generation without resolving constraints at the distribution end would not automatically translate into reliable electricity for consumers.
The proposed zones are therefore intended to link investments across the electricity value chain with actual and potential demand, creating areas where supply can become more consistent and commercially viable.
The government expects improved electricity reliability in the targeted corridors to support industrial activity by allowing businesses to plan production and other operations around more dependable power supply.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.
The Ministry of Power is expected to continue consultations with relevant stakeholders as it develops the proposed energy zones and determines the infrastructure and commercial arrangements required to make the 24-hour supply model operational.
