Power Sector News and Other Related News Stories For Tuesday September 6th 2022
AEDC Deploys Meter-On-Wheels, Urges Customers to Safeguard Power Assets
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said it has deployed Meter-on-Wheels and mobile MAP initiatives to allow customers purchase meters instantly without waiting for months.
The DisCo also blamed poor power supply to its franchise states on the bad infrastructures it inherited when it took over operations.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with electricity consumers in the Lugbe axis of Abuja, on Friday, chief marketing officer of AEDC, Donald Etim said that with these initiatives, customers can now pay for meters and have them installed within 24 hours unlike what was obtainable before now.
Etim, who was represented by the head, Channels Engagement/CSR, Usman Danjuma, assured customers that while AEDC will strive to improve power supply to the area, they customers should fulfill their end of the bargain by ensuring prompt payment for their bills.
https://leadership.ng/aedc-deploys-meter-on-wheels-urges-customers-to-safeguard-power-assets/
Inherited Dilapidated Infrastructures Causing Low Power Supply – AEDC
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has blamed poor power supply to its franchise states on the bad infrastructures it inherited when it took over operations.
Speaking at a town hall meeting yesterday in Abuja, its head of operations and lines, Elisha Yakubu, an engineer, said when the company came on board, it had to contend with bad transformers and load shedding in the franchise states, thus, the difficulty to give customers optimum service delivery.
Yakubu, while saying the low power supply experienced in the first half of the year was a national issue, added that the situation had improved as government is now giving it more power load to distribute to customers.
On her part, the head of business distribution, Joan Ugwunna, said it had launched a meter-on-wheels initiative to allow customers purchase meters instantly without waiting for months.
https://dailytrust.com/inherited-dilapidated-infrastructures-causing-low-power-supply-aedc
Discos fail to utilise 1,936MW despite blackouts – FG
The 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria did not utilise a total of 1,936.26 megawatts of electricity in one week amidst the country’s limited power generation, the latest data on the daily Discos load summary from the Federal Ministry of Power, showed.
Figures contained in the load summary obtained in Abuja on Monday, indicated that the power firms did not utilise the 1,936.26MW between August 13 to 19, 2022 due to various concerns such as electricity theft, poor payment of bills, etc, in the distribution subsector.
The 11 power distribution companies include Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola. The unutilised power was the difference between the electricity load allocated to the firms and their actual consumption.
An analysis by our correspondent of the unutilised load by the Discos showed that on August 13, the power firms did not utilise a total of 208.44MW, while they did not distribute 364.11MW on August 14.
https://punchng.com/discos-fail-to-utilise-1936mw-despite-blackouts-fg/
Fresh Nationwide Strike Looms in Power Sector
Two weeks after suspension of the nationwide strike by electricity workers that threw the nation into blackout, indications have emerged of a fresh looming strike over alleged unwillingness of government to resolve issues of unpaid entitlements to former workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
This came as Vanguard gathered that some government agencies, including the anti-graft bodies, are allegedly harassing labour leaders in the sector over the agreements reached with government during the privatisation of the sector.
The issue of unpaid benefits was one of the reasons that led to the industrial action by the workers in the industry, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEC, two weeks ago..
Vanguard gathered that as the committee set up to resolve the issues meets today, the issue of unpaid benefits to some of the ex-PHCN workers had become a stumbling block to resolving the issues.
According to the sources, government agencies including Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, that supervises the Federal Government privatisation programme are shying away from the payment of the benefits, among other pending entitlements.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/fresh-nationwide-strike-looms-in-power-sector/
You Have Failed Nigerians, Electricity Employees Tackle Gencos, Discos
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Monday, said despite privitasation of the power sector, Nigerians were yet to derive any valur from the exercise.
The organising secretary, Northeast zone of the union, Mr. Skanta A. Mshelinga at a press conference held in Jos, said it is an undeniable truth that the power sector privatisation has not added value to the lives of Nigerians.
“The entire exercise which could be described as a charade has not brought any meaningful impact or improvement of the sector; rather, it has led the nation to a huge set back,” they said.
They stated further that the same equipment inherited pre-privitasation era, have remained what drives the sector with no visible attempt by the Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) to upgrade and expand their capacities.
“The infrastructure development by the New Business Owners in the sector has almost gone comatose while the socio-economic status of the average worker in the sector has continued to decline,” the union said.
https://www.blueprint.ng/you-have-failed-nigerians-electricity-employees-tackle-gencos-discos/
Privatisation Has Brought No Meaningful Impact to The Power Sector – NUEE
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has faulted the privatization of Nigeria’s electricity assets, lamenting the poor state of power in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Mr Sikamta Mshelinga, the North-East Zonal Senior Organising Secretary of the union, in a press conference on Monday in Jos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He noted that the privatisation of the sector has also brought no meaningful impact or improvement on the sector, rather, it has brought so many setbacks to the nation.
Mshelinga, who faulted the entire privatisation process, claimed it had not met the expectations of Nigerians. He also added that it provided no value to the lives of ordinary Nigerians, and has not made a meaningful impact in power supply in the country.
He called on the Federal Government to look into the entire power sector privatisation process with a view to making it better.
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to Spend N2b on Computer
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said it has earmarked N2 billion for the purchase of computers and related accessories in 2023.
Mr. Sanusi Garba, the Chairman, of NERC, said this at a hearing on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in Abuja on Monday.
Garba said that in utility regulation, information technology was very important as it was not proper to rely on the information given by licensees alone.
“So we are investing heavily in technology so we have credible information about the quality of service. Without technology, we can not know that a feeder in an area is out for 48 hours and people are in darkness.
“So over the next few years, we will be investing heavily on technology for data aggregation in 2021, the budget for computers, not just hardware but the software that drives the machine is N1.5 billion.
NERC Backs New BEDC Board, Disowns Disco’s Erstwhile Management
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reiterated its support for the takeover of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) by its creditor bank, disowning the recent actions taken by the former management of the firm.
NERC insisted that it has a statutory responsibility to the electricity market, adding that the duty, which is exercised in the public interest outweighs any perceived private interests.
In a statement, the regulator alerted the general public to note that the interim board comprising of Messrs Henry Ajagbawa, K.C Akuma, Adeola ljose, Charles Onwera and Yomi Adeyemi remain the only directors of BEDC recognised by the commission.
“All stakeholders and members of the general public are enjoined to provided the required support to the interim board of directors as they work on ensuring continuity of service to end-use customers in the BEDC network area,” NERC stated.
BPE Ignores Court Injunction, Moves to Take Over BEDC
Plans are underway by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to take over Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) despite a subsisting court injunction.
A source told TheCable on Monday that the development is coming despite an injunction by the Federal High Court, Abuja, against BPE and Henry Ajagbawa, appointed by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in July 2022, over the move.
The federal government had announced a planned takeover of Benin, Kano and Kaduna electricity distribution companies (DisCos) by Fidelity Bank Plc.
The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had said the “restructuring was a result of the contractual agreement between the bank and Vigeo Power Limited, a core investor in Benin DisCo”.
https://www.thecable.ng/sources-bpe-ignores-court-injunction-moves-to-take-over-bedc
Power Supply Improves After Electricity Workers’ Strike
Electricity supply in Nigerian has been rising since the aggrieved electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) grounded the operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria on August 17, 2022. The disruption caused a nationwide blackout. It was estimated that distribution companies lost an estimated N2.94 billion in potential revenue.
An average of 93,183MWh of electricity was supplied to consumers in August, as against an average of 86,221MWh sent out in July. Energy production was also ramped up with a daily average generation of 94,281.68MWh in August. On September 1, a total of 102,875.3MWh of energy was generated, while 101,630MWh was supplied.
This represents 98.8 per cent of the total generated electricity. In addition, the highest frequency recorded on September 1, was 51.1Hz, while the lowest frequency was 49.8Hz.
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/power-supply-improves-after-electricity-workers-strike/
Ikeja Electric Says There Will Be 10 Days Blackout in Parts of Lagos Sept. 6
Some regions in the Alimosho Local Government Area will face blackouts for ten days beginning on September 6, according to the management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).
The Company stated in a statement on Sunday that it needs to repair some outdated panels at its Igando injection substation.
The electricity company explained that the replacement of the panels is geared toward “improving the quality and quantity of power” in the areas that will be affected in the local government area.
The Company listed the affected areas as; General Hospital, Obadore, Egan, Akesan, Igando-Ikotun, Agric Road, and New Igando.”
“As part of our efforts to improve the quality and quantity of power supply, we have decided to replace old panels at our Igando Injection Substation,” it said.
D-8 Countries Pledge Support for Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan
THE Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) member countries have indicated their readiness to support Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
Secretary-General of D-8, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, made this known when he received in audience some members of the Board of Directors of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET), who visited Republic of Turkiye recently to sign a partnership deal with Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST), a foremost Turkish energy firm, with a view to turn around the fortune of Nigerian power sector reforms efforts for more improved performance.
While briefing the delegation led by Mr. Nebolisa Anako, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power of Nigeria at the D-8 Secretariat in Istanbul, Ambassador Imam welcomed members of the Board of NBET PLC to his office, and updated them on the various programmes and activities of the D-8 organization, since his assumption of duty early this year.
D-8 Pledges to Support Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan
The Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8)-member countries have indicated their readiness to support Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
Secretary-General of D-8, Ambassador Isiaka Imam, made this known when he received some directors of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) PLC, who visited Republic of Turkey recently to sign a partnership deal with Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST), a foremost Turkish energy firm, with a view to turn around the fortune of Nigerian power sector reforms efforts for more improved performance.
The Federal Government’s delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Nebolisa Anako, to the D-8 Secretariat in Istanbul, Turkey.
Imam,who received the NBET’s directors, updated them on the various programmes and activities of the D-8 organisation, since his assumption of duty early this year.
A statement from the Press Office of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, yesterday in Abuja and signed by Mr. Ilham Uludag, said Imam praised the initiative of the Federal Government for entering into partnership EXIST.
https://thenationonlineng.net/d-8-pledges-to-support-nigerias-energy-transition-plan/
Scatec Signs PPA for A 50 Mwp Solar Park in Botswana
Scatec is increasing its African operations. A power purchase agreement (PPA) for the development of a 50 MWp solar photovoltaic project has been struck between the independent power producer (IPP) with headquarters in Oslo, Norway, and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). Scatec will build the solar park in Selebi-Phikwe, a mining village 402 kilometres from Gaborone, the country’s capital.
Under the PPA, Scatec will sell the electricity generated to BPC for 25 years. “We are proud to have reached this milestone with BPC, demonstrating our ability to support and deliver clean energy and infrastructure to sub-Saharan Africa. It is also an important achievement for the people of Botswana,” says Jan Fourie, Scatec’s director for sub-Saharan Africa.
The project’s only stakeholder, Scatec, will also serve as the asset manager, O&M contractor, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm. IPP predicts that its next solar PV facility would be able to power 20,000 houses in Botswana while reducing annual emissions by 48,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
https://theelectricityhub.com/scatec-signs-ppa-for-a-50-mwp-solar-park-in-botswana/
Naturgy Energy Group Acquires Mega Clean Power Project
Naturgy Energy Group, a Spanish electric and gas utility, has purchased a ready-to-build project for a 125 MW solar PV farm with a battery energy storage system (BESS) of about 220 MWh in Cunderdin, Western Australia. Naturgy, in an announcement, revealed that the company had acquired Cunderdin development from Sun Bread Power (SBP) for an undisclosed fee. The company also plans to invest EUR 160 million into the project.
Construction of the project is planned to commence in the fourth quarter of this year to have it ready for commercial operations in the first quarter of 2024. The utility also noted that the facilities would be connected to Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System.
Naturgy will build the Cunderdin project through Global Power Generation (GPG), its joint venture with Kuwait Investment Authority, Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund. Cunderdin is Naturgy’s first hybrid power project in the world, its first solar PV project in Australia, and Australia’s first solar-plus-storage hybrid, according to the company.
https://theelectricityhub.com/naturgy-energy-group-acquires-mega-clean-power-project/
