Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Wednesday October 5th 2022
TCN Decries Trespass of Power Transmission Lines in Kaduna
The National Anti-Encroachment Committee of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has sought ties with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA) over encroachment of right-of-way of power transmission lines in the state.
The committee led by its Chairman, the General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, TCN, Mr. Kangeh Cephas, raised the alarm in Kaduna yesterday, that residents were hanging clothes on power lines.
https://dailytrust.com/tcn-decries-trespass-of-power-transmission-lines-in-kaduna
Discos’ Revenue Collections Hit N772.7bn in 12 Months Despite Mounting Power Supply Challenges
The electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) in Nigeria made a total revenue of N772.7 billion in 2021 in spite of mounting power supply challenges nationwide, a Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) report has revealed.
An analysis of the four-quarter report released by the sector’s regulatory agency showed that in the first quarter, the Discos raked in N183.73 billion while it collected N185.29 billion in the second quarter.
About 1 Million Got Electricity Metres in 2021 – NERC
958,533 electricity customers in the nation were metred by the 11 Distribution Companies of Nigeria (DISCOs) within their business districts in 2021.
Data by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) shows that 273,578 customers were metered in the first quarter (Q1’21), 315,717 in Q2’21, 288,154 in Q3’21 and 81,084 in Q4’21.
Despite the N60 billion support funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other interventions, the metering gap remains high at about 55%.
https://radionigeria.gov.ng/2022/10/03/about-1-million-customers-got-electricity-metre-in-2021/
Consumers Get N1.12tn Bill, Pay N775bn Amid Blackouts
Figures obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Monday showed that power consumers in Nigeria got a total bill of N1.12tn in 2021 but paid N775.33bn, leaving a shortfall of N341.42bn.
Payments were made to the 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria despite the blackouts witnessed in many parts of the country by consumers.
The NERC revealed this in four of its quarterly reports, as it only completed the reports for the review year by publishing the 4th quarter 2021 report recently.
An analysis of the various reports by our correspondent indicated that power users paid N186.34bn for electricity in the first quarter of 2021, while they were billed N271.85bn by the Discos.
https://punchng.com/consumers-get-n1-12tn-bill-pay-n775bn-amid-blackouts/
Drop in metering
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) owes Nigerians explanation about the poor performance of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) which is reportedly winding down. This is even as the number of metered Nigerians are below average. According to NERC “of the 10,514,582 registered energy customers as at December 2021, only 4,773,217 (45.40 per cent) have been metered compared to 42.93 per cent metering as at September 2021.”
https://thenationonlineng.net/drop-in-metering/
Beebeejump Deploys 500,000 Solar Systems to Rural Communities
Beebeejump Int’l Limited, A solar energy company, has provided solar power systems to over 500,000 homes and shops in Nigeria.
Beebeejump’s Regional Sales Manager, North Central, Mrs Gloria Adewole, who disclosed this to journalists at the ongoing 17th Abuja International Trade Fair, said the company had offices in the FCT and the 36 states of the federation, with headquarters in Lagos State.
She explained that, “Currently in Nigeria, they have deployed 500,000 solar systems in rural communities, and this has also helped to expand their business operations and distribution. Beebeejump have been able to go into the hinterlands where there is no light.
https://theelectricityhub.com/nigeria-beebeejump-deploys-500000-solar-systems-to-rural-communities/
FG Urges Synergy to Deliver Electricity
The Federal Government has called on members of the board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to work in synergy to deliver on its mandate to provide electricity to rural dwellers.
Jedy-Agba, while urging the board members and management to work in synergy to deliver on their mandate, warned against factionalisation or the creation of camps of any kind within the board or agency.
The minister said that the Federal Government wants synergy among board members and REA management adding that camps or factions in the board will not be accepted.
https://nnn.ng/fg-urges-synergy-to-deliver-electricity/
Zimbabwe Government Looking for Alternative Energy Sources
In recent weeks, households had to deal with power outages and about 10 hours load shedding. Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) reported it was due to depressed generation capacity at its power stations.
Speaking at the burial of liberation war hero the late Heighten Nkomo at the National Hero’s Acre, President Mnangagwa said Hwange power project which is expected to generate 600 megawatts to the national grid was almost complete.
https://theelectricityhub.com/zimbabwe-government-looking-for-alternative-energy-sources/
Firms to Invest $1.7m for Solar Mini-Grids Deployment in Africa
nfraCo Africa, an investment company of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and electricity provider Equatorial Power, forms a new alliance to electrify rural areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The two companies plan to invest $1.7 million to deploy a portfolio of solar mini-grids in Rwanda and the DRC.
Mini-grids with a capacity of between 60 and 85 kWp will be constructed in these two neighbouring nations. These facilities will have battery storage devices to control variations in solar radiation throughout the wet season. In the southeast of Rwanda, four mini-grids will be constructed. For the sake of rural residents, Equatorial Power also intends to construct four agricultural processing hubs (APH).
https://theelectricityhub.com/firms-to-invest-1-7m-for-solar-mini-grids-deployment-in-africa/
Anglo American and France EDF to Launch South African Renewables JV with 600-MW Pipeline
Mining multinational Anglo American Plc and the renewables unit of France’s EDF have agreed to set up a joint venture with a mature pipeline of more than 600 MW of wind and solar projects in South Africa.
The purpose of the new company; Envusa Energy, is to develop a regional renewable energy ecosystem (RREE) to cater to Anglo American’s operational power needs in South Africa. The two partners entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore this initiative in March 2022. The joint venture is expected to generate 3 GW to 5 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
