The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission has assured residents that it is working to address the irregular power supply affecting parts of the state.

In a statement on its website on Sunday evening, the commission said it had met with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and MainPower, and was taking necessary measures to restore stable electricity supply.

“Sequel to the public announcement from MainPower, which stated that EEDC directed the curtailing of power supply to Bands B to E Feeders, and the challenges in vending being experienced by the customers in the state, we invited MainPower to a meeting.

“The aim is to ascertain the reasons for the decision to curtail power supply in Enugu State and the vending challenges being experienced by customers.

“During the meeting, MainPower explained that they (MainPower and EEDC) were having difficulties separating Enugu State from the rest of the states in the coverage area of EEDC.

“This challenge was termed ‘code coverage conflicts and related glitches’ but gave assurance that the issue would be sorted out very soon,” the commission said.

However, the EERC directed MainPower to formally update customers on the vending challenges and the steps being taken to resolve them.

The commission further reminded the company that under its Business Rules, it is required to file a formal petition within 30 days of a tariff order if dissatisfied, rather than resorting to cutting supply.”The petition will enable a public hearing on the Tariff Order, to which the outcome will be implemented.

“The Business Rules are accessible to all the stakeholders on the commission’s website (www.eerc.en.gov.ng),” it stated.

The EERC said it was engaging relevant stakeholders at both state and federal levels and would adopt an appropriate regulatory approach to address the issue.

It stressed that this would ensure developers, service providers, customers, and residents enjoy the full benefits of the state’s growing subnational electricity market.

“We will also ensure that MainPower recovers sufficient revenue that covers their efficient costs of doing business in Enugu State plus a fair return on capital invested, as provided in section 34 (2)(b) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023,” the commission added.

On August 4, MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited issued a statement attributing the situation to a sharp drop in energy supply from its parent company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

It said the reduction was triggered by the decision to cut the Band A electricity tariff from N209 per kWh to N160 per kWh.

As a result, many parts of the state, particularly areas in Bands B to E, have been without power since August 1.