The Federal Government’s efforts in Nigeria’s electricity sector have led to substantial progress, with the installation of 184,507 new meters in Q3 2024, marking a 256.01% increase from the previous quarter.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission also reported the issuance of 50 new licenses, permits, and certifications.
The was disclosed by NERC in its Q3 2024 report released on Friday.
The rise in metering increased the net end-user metering rate in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry to 46.15%, up from 45.43% in Q2, marking an improvement of 0.72 percentage points.
The majority of installations, totaling 178,715 meters or 96.86%, were carried out under the Meter Asset Provider framework.
The Vendor Financed framework contributed 3,508 meters, while the DisCo Financed framework added 2,298 meters. This progress reflects a concerted effort to tackle issues such as estimated billing and improve consumer satisfaction within the electricity distribution value chain.
To support the increase in meter installations, NERC issued 50 licenses, permits, and certifications, aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s power sector infrastructure.
These includes: Six new off-grid generation licences with a combined capacity of 30.06 MW; One renewal of an on-grid generation licence with a gross capacity of 39 MW; Two new electricity trading licences; Eleven captive generation permits with a total gross capacity of 63.36 MW; One registration certificate for a mini-grid; Seven certifications for Meter Service Providers and twenty-two permits for Meter Asset Providers.
These licenses are expected to attract investments, enhance power supply, and expand access to renewable and off-grid energy solutions, particularly in rural areas.
The increase in meter installations and the issuance of licenses represent a crucial turning point in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
By prioritizing metering through initiatives like MAP, the government is addressing the long-standing issue of estimated billing, benefiting electricity consumers.
Additionally, the rise in off-grid and mini-grid licenses highlights a growing shift towards renewable energy and decentralized power solutions, essential for improving energy access in underserved areas.
