Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Monday January 30th 2023
Customers Challenge Ikeja Electric Over Threat to Withdraw Pre-Paid Meters
A group of entrepreneurs and customers of Ikeja Electric Plc in Lagos State, at the weekend, sent an S.O.S. to the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliu, accusing the electricity distribution company of attempts to crush their operations.
They accused the officials of the energy supplier, believed to be the largest electricity distribution company in Nigeria, of threatening to ”forcefully confiscate their meters under the pretext that the customers were operating theirs with what they termed ”old meters”.
Thrice last week, the workers of the company from Igbobi Undertaking in Somolu area of the state, who mobilised to forcefully uninstall and cart the meters away, were resisted.
”Despite repeated explanations and appeals, the electricity company team, said to be led by a male management official of the company, refused bluntly to listen, saying Ikeja Electric Distribution Company had phased out ‘old meters’,” the affected customers said.
”We appealed to the officers that the meters were purchased by us and that it would be illegal to withdraw the meters, which we bought, without replacement.
ECOWAS Approves Fresh Policies for Regional Electricity Market
The Economic Community of West African States Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority has approved critical policies for the development of the sub-regions power market.
It also announced its commitment to protect the interests of investors and participants in the regional power market, stressing that the body would ensure that there were conducive investments in the industry.
The Chairman, ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority, also known as ERERA, Kokou Tossou, disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday by the authority.
Tossou disclosed this while addressing the Chairman, Sunon Asogli Power Plant, Qun Yang, during a courtesy visit to the power plant in Kpone, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
The statement read in part, “He (Tossou) noted that electricity production is vital to the viability of the market, and ERERA has approved critical documents for the development of the regional power market, adding that they will also be conducive to investments in the energy sector.
“Approved documents include the Regional Electricity Market Procedures for the West African Power Pool, the WAPP Operation Manual, the Tariff Methodology for Regional Transmission Cost and Tariff, and the WAPP Regional Market Rules.
https://punchng.com/ecowas-approves-fresh-policies-for-regional-electricity-market/
With 10mw Solar Energy, Buhari Sets Kano Industry on the March
For an electricity distribution area, Kano DISCO that gets between 250- 360 Megawatts Hour, on a day by day, many will dismiss the commissioning of the 10MW, Challawa Kano Solar Power Project as inconsequential.
Yet, in terms of, both significance and consequential impact, this power plant, the first of its kind in Nigeria is a game-changer in many respects.
It is important to note that this is the largest grid-connected solar power plant in the country so far. Not only this, it is a pointer to growth in the power sector and a strong and unambiguous message that large-scale renewable projects can be successfully delivered in the country.
The plant is equally a personal goal achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari, a globally recognized champion of awareness creation and the mitigation of climate change. He is a recognized promoter of biodiversity and a strong advocate of clean energy sources.
For him, the destruction of the natural environment, be that from uncontrolled carbon emissions of or the destruction of natural environments is an anathema; the reason for most, if not all of the security and socio-economic challenges, from terrorism to banditry, hunger and poverty that confront us.
https://independent.ng/with-10mw-solar-energy-buhari-sets-kano-industry-on-the-march/
Vandalism, Staff Assaults Jolt Electricity Firms
Electricity distribution companies in Lagos State have been badly hit by the spate of vandalism and assault of staff while on official duty in recent times.
While the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has condemned the incessant attacks against its staff, the Ikeja Electric disclosed that some vandals have been jailed for stealing electricity cables.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, Godwin Idemudia, described the attack on its staff as barbaric.
Idemudia said that the electricity company would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law in dealing with erring customers and members of the public that take the law into their hands through assaults on its staff and officials.
He reiterated that EKEDC would continue to employ a cordial process of engagement with its customers and stakeholders to continue to find amicable ways of complaints resolutions as it affects communities and customers.
He said: “While we understand that sentiments regarding utility services can be quite emotive, we maintain that wanton attacks on our staff are completely irrational, irresponsible, and unproductive, especially where EKEDC has provided multiple channels through which customers can lodge formal complaints with respect to our services.
https://guardian.ng/business-services/vandalism-staff-assaults-jolt-electricity-firms/
CAN, Others Warn Kaduna Residents Over Attack on Electricity Workers
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and opinion leaders in Kaduna State have warned residents against attacking Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) workers over power outages in their communities.
The opinion leaders and management of the company have also debunked insinuations that blackouts in parts of the country were politically-motivated; hence, the situation should not be used to unleash violence and mayhem.
KAEDCO visited CAN and other opinion leaders in the state to help in calming the residents over poor electricity supply being experienced in parts of the North, insisting that it is as a result of drop in supply from the national grid, and not for political reasons.
Chairman of Kaduna CAN, Rev. John Hayab, called on religious, political and community leaders to stop spreading unfounded stories capable of over-heating the polity or instigating violence.
He made the appeal in Kaduna, at the weekend, when officials of KAECO visited him at the CAN Secretariat to brief him on the power supply situation in the country, especially in Kaduna and environs.
Hayab urged leaders of thought to always verify the authenticity of information that come to their attention before making pronouncement on them to avoid misleading or misinforming their subjects.
https://guardian.ng/news/can-others-warn-kaduna-residents-over-attack-on-electricity-workers/
Electricity Crisis Continues to Undermine Economic Growth: S. Africa Prez
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the electricity crisis in the country continues to undermine economic growth and investment.
“Load shedding damages businesses, disrupts households, compromises the provision of social services, and affects the safety and well-being of the people,” Ramaphosa, also President of South Africa’s ruling party African National Congress (ANC), made the remarks at the ANC’s National Executive Council lekgotla on Sunday.
“Resolving the energy crisis and putting an end to load shedding is one of our most immediate and pressing challenges,” he added.
As a result of load shedding, companies are reluctant to invest, productivity is dampened, economic growth cannot be sustained, and jobs cannot be created on the necessary scale, said Ramaphosa.
He noted that they have signed agreements with independent power producers for 26 renewable energy projects, which will generate around 2,800 megawatts (MW) of power; they are also negotiating to import 1,000 MW from neighbouring countries, Xinhua news agency reported.
