“We are concerned by the quantum of public outcry over the continuous increase in the unit price of electricity set under this new tariff regime. This is in spite of the N213 billion Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilization Fund provided by the Federal government as subsidy to the industry operators.
“The suppliers need a little profit, the consumers must also agree with suppliers. Government, as regulator, should also be there to regulate the duo. They have to source for the service they are giving consumers, so we should reach compromise and not fight over tariff,” he said.
“President Jonathan played no role at all in that decision. His ministers did not play any role. It was a bona fide regulatory decision that may be termed wise or unwise, after the facts. But should not be used to denigrate President Jonathan or the ministers of power.”
Mini-grids are electricity supply systems with their own power generation capacity, mostly from renewable energy, supplying more than one customer and can operate either in isolation from or connected to an existing distribution network.
Also, the peak was 3,948 MW lower than 3,960MW generated on June 16. This was attributed to the loss of Distribution Companies (Discos) feeders arising from heavy rainfall leading to frequency management reduction in generation output across the grid.
“It is important that we state that there is no more interested party in the comprehensive metering of our electricity consumers than the Discos. It is our hope and expectation that such metering will be achieved sooner rather than later.”
The commission explained that the directive to exempt MD customers from estimated bills was sequel to an earlier Directive of the Commission to the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos) to completely meter all their MD customers on or before 31st November, 2016.
Ibrahim said, “Most of the Discos which are importing meters are complaining that they do not have money to purchase the meters locally; this is funny. Government should intervene without delay in order to prevent the meter-producing industry from collapse.”
Following the expiration of the deadline, NERC further directed that MD customer that was not metered by March 1, shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology.
He said, “Since the takeover, we have not billed them beyond 80 percent of the electricity supplied to us by the Market Operator. For instance, from January to December 2015, we received 3578Gwh of electricity but the energy billed within the same period is 2865Gwh, thereby showing a billing efficiency of 80 per cent.”
