Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Tuesday October 11th 2022
AEDC Ends Customer Service Week, Introduces USSD Vending Option
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has concluded its annual customer service week, with the introduction of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) vending code.
The special week is celebrated each year by businesses around the world within the first full business week of October. The commemoration of the customer service week is aimed at recognising the significance of good service along with those dedicated to providing it daily.
During the week-long event, the AEDC said it was entrenching a premium service culture and customer experience, and seized the opportunity to launch its staff verification platform.
In his customer service celebration message, the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Adeoye Fadeyibi said that the verification platform was coming as a result of several cases of impersonation which has exposed the company and customers to undue harm and mischief.
“However, with this laudable initiative, customers can verify the authenticity of staff before granting access to their premises,’’ he explained.
Impersonation: AEDC Launches Staff Verification Platform to Checkmate Workers
Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has launched a staff verification platform that allows customers to verify the authenticity officials approached for services.
The utility, which unveiled this as part of activities to mark this year’s customer service week, also unveiled a new USSD vending platform for customers.
The company which celebrated the week with the theme: Celebrate Service, Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, said it was aimed at recognizing the significance of good service along with those dedicated to providing it daily.
The MD/CEO of AEDC, Engr. Adeoye Fadeyibi in a message said “the verification platform is coming as a result of several cases of impersonation which has exposed the company and customers to undue harm and mischief.
“However, with this laudable initiative, customers can verify the authenticity of staff before granting access to their premises.
AEDC Launches Staff Verification, Metre Vending Platforms
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has launched a staff verification platform and a USSD metre vending scheme while celebrating its customer week.
Speaking at the weekend, the MD/CEO, Engr Adeoye Fadeyibi, said, “The verification platform is coming as a result of several cases of impersonation which have exposed the company and customers to undue harm and mischief. However, with this laudable initiative, customers can verify the authenticity of staff before granting access to their premises.’’
He said to enjoy this service, a customer should visit the AEDC website and verify a staff member through the ID number. If the visitor is a genuine AEDC employee, his or her name, picture and ID card number will be displayed on the screen.
Also, through the USSD recharge option, customers can recharge their metres through text messages via Access, FCMB, Providus, Stanbic IBTC, Fidelity, Sterling, Keystone, Unity, Heritage, Tajbank, and Jaiz banks.
Under the theme, ‘Celebrate Service, AEDC observed the International Customer Service Week and recognised the significance of good service along with those dedicated to providing it daily.
https://dailytrust.com/aedc-launches-staff-verification-metre-vending-platforms
Again, AEDC Disconnects Niger Govt Facilities Over N1.8bn Debt
For its failure to pay current and outstanding bills the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has disconnected facilities belonging to the Niger state government.
The disconnection, which is the third time in ten months, was done due to the inability of the state government to keep its part of the agreement to pay its current and outstanding debts.
Amongst government facilities affected include the general hospitals, IBB Specialist hospital, the state Water works, Niger state Government House, the state House of Assembly, the State Secretariat, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), all the state ministries that are not domiciled in the state secretariat, the SDGs offices and other Agencies and Departments of the state government. AEDC had disconnected the government’s facilities on April 20 and August 26 this year.
AEDC said the government failed to meet up with its agreement to pay its outstanding debts worth over N1.8billion, whichwasagreed uponbeforetheelectricity was reconnected in August. The Public Relations Officer of AEDC Niger Region, Mohammed Adamu confirmed the disconnection but said he could not speak about it as he was in a meeting.
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/again-aedc-disconnects-niger-govt-facilities-over-n1-8bn-debt/
General Electric Backs Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan
As Nigeria drives toward inclusive energy transition and implementation of power services, General Electric has reiterated its commitment to support a robust, timely, just, and as it plans for improved energy access for the country and Sub-Saharan Africa.
This commitment came at the recently concluded 9th edition of the Nigeria Energy Conference themed Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy through Collaboration.
According to the Africa Energy Outlook 2022, Africa accounts for less than 3 per cent of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It has the lowest emissions per capita of any region. In addition, there are still over 580 million people on the continent without reliable energy, and the demand for electricity is expected to continue to increase as populations rise, industrialization ambitions grow, and urbanization continues to fuel the need for more electricity.
Nigeria, the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, is endowed with huge oil, gas, hydro, wind, and solar resources, but constraints in the power sector impact growth and industrialization.
https://businesspost.ng/general/general-electric-backs-nigerias-energy-transition-plan/
GE Outlines Strategy To Support Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan
As part of efforts to support Nigeria’s energy transition plans, General Electric(GE) has assured that it was ready to provide cutting edge technologies to support the country to improve and strengthen its grid infrastructure.
According to GE,part of its agenda for Nigeria was also to help reduce reliance on diesel generators by improving access and efficiency of thermal assets, diversifying the energy mix especially with hydropower and provide the technical expertise required to support industrialisation and the energy transition.
The energy giant agenda for the country to achieve a robust energy transition plan was disclosed by GE Nigeria President and Sales Director, Anglophone and Francophone Africa, GE Gas Power, Mr. Mohammed Mijindadi, at the sidelines of the 9th edition of the Nigeria Energy Conference with the theme ‘‘Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy through Collaboration’’ which held recently in Lagos.
GE further reiterated its commitment to support a robust, timely, just, and inclusive energy transition and implementation of power services as it plans for improved energy access for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ge-outlines-strategy-to-support-nigerias-energy-transition-plan/
Femi Otedola’s Geregu Power Scores Major First
Businessman Femi Otedola has scored a major point with one of his businesses. His power-generating company, Geregu Power has become Nigeria’s first power-generating company to be quoted on the Nigerian Exchange. Having scaled the regulator’s hurdle, the power company is making its entry into NGX with a market value totalling N250 billion.
After selling off his controlling shares in excess of 78 percent in Forte Oil to Abdulwasiu Sowami’s Ardova, he then purchased Geregu Power using the proceeds from the selloff of Forte Oil. While Geregu Power generates electricity, Amperion, another company he owns, distributes the power.
Otedola, who likes to refer to himself as an investor, featured prominently in a fierce ownership battle at FBN Holdings last year, after his acquisition of the biggest stake in the financial institution. With this and taking Geregu Power public, Otedola may well be on his way to returning to his place on Forbes Africa’s Billionaires Ranking where he held the third position until he got knocked off after a plummet in the value of his shares in the Forte Oil which forced him to sell off to Sowami.
https://thewillnigeria.com/news/femi-otedolas-geregu-power-scores-major-first/
Foundation Stone Laid for Construction of 2.5MW Solar Power Plant at NDA in Kaduna
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for the construction of a 2.5mw solar power plant at NDA in Kaduna. The Rural Electrification Programme is carrying out the multi-million-naira World Bank project, whose completion is anticipated in 12 months’ time.
Speaking at the event, President Buhari said the groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of the 2.5mw solar power plant at NDA under the Energising Education Programme (EEP) Phase II. It is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with financial Support from the World Bank.
He said, “This intervention started with EEP Phase 1, which was financed by the Federal Government through the Green Bond.”
He added, “The program is already giving energy to students and employees at seven federal colleges in different geopolitical regions.
The President, who was represented by the retired Maj. Gen. Bashir, Minister of Defence, assured the contractors, Messr Dongfang Electric Corporation–Mutual Commitment Company (DEC-MCC), of the Federal Government’s unwavering support as they “embark on the project. https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/foundation-stone-laid-for-construction-of-2-5mw-solar-power-plant-at-nda-in-kaduna/
Inside Kwara North Communities Where Residents Live Without Electricity for Over 10 Years
FOR more than a decade, over 100 villages in the four districts of Baruten Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State have been without electricity – national grid. All efforts to get it restored have proven abortive.
December 2, 2021, was a sunny day in Chikanda, a village in the Baruten Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, where Salisu Muhammad lay on a small bed in the corner of his room with a hand fan to ease the heat.
Saliu had just returned from his father’s farm after spending about five hours harvesting yams. Like every other day, it took him and his siblings about a 20-minute walk back home, after an exhaustive session on the farm. At that moment, his body craved cool air from the nearby electric fan, but this was just a mere wish because of the decade-long energy poverty.
“I really want to sleep, but this heat won’t allow it,” Saliu said, as he tried to adjust his sitting position.
REA Officials Visit South Korea to Study Power Sector
Officials of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, visited South Korea to understudy boosting Nigeria’s electricity supply. This visit followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Korean Institute for the Advancement of Technology, KIAT, and the Federal Government for Premium Grade Mini-Grade Projects in June 2022. The agreement aims to build four independent mini-grids in four unelectrified communities in Abuja with a total capacity of 1,600KwP.
The visit lasted from 17th September to 24th September 2022, and was geared to help the stakeholders gain insights on the country’s renewable energy policies and technologies with plans to learn and adopt technologies to suit the Nigerian clime and effectively execute the mini-grid projects.
The delegates on the trip included the Interim Chairman of the Board, Badamasuiy Mohammed Kabir, Managing Director, Ahmad Ahmad Salihijo, and Board members Agba Ajibike Catherine Akpana, Nwogu Chidi, Oluwagbemi Olubusayo Michael, and Garba Abdullahi. Other delegates in attendance included the Executive Directors and Directors of the agency. In addition, the Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea hosted the delegates of REA at a gala night before they returned to their country.
https://theelectricityhub.com/rea-officials-visit-south-korea-to-study-power-sector/
Stage Two Load Shedding Returns in South Africa
South Africa’s power company, Eskom, has announced that stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 4 pm to midnight every evening for the next few days.
Eskom had lost some 14 061 MW of energy due to breakdowns, with a further 5,487MW offline due to maintenance.
The power utility lifted load shedding over the weekend for the first time in at least three weeks after recovering some generation capacity. The load shedding will allow it to replenish its reserves further.
Eskom will endeavour to limit load shedding to night-time to have minimal impact on the economy and population. The load shedding will replenish emergency generation reserves during the night to bolster generation capacity. Eskom will publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur.
https://theelectricityhub.com/stage-two-load-shedding-returns-in-south-africa/
Rwanda Organizes $800m for Zimbabwe’s Rural Electrification
Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, revealed that President Paul Kagame has helped Zimbabwe secure US$800 million in funding for its rural electrification programme.
Mnangagwa said Kagame would attend the unveiling of the rural electrification programme at the end of this month. The programme aims to transform the rural population’s livelihoods in the Southern African country.
Mnangagwa revealed that the programme feeds into his government’s rural development plan, which encompasses creating smart homes equipped with clean energy, potable water and nutrition gardens.
Mnangagwa said very soon; every Zimbabwean will have electricity regardless of where they are. Further, he commended Rwanda’s government for their assistance and efforts in Rwanda’s social and economic development.
https://theelectricityhub.com/rwanda-organizes-800m-for-zimbabwes-rural-electrification/
