By love-89.com During an exclusive interview, Gideon Arinze shared insights from the recent monumental shift in the Enugu State electricity market, which is now under the full regulatory oversight of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC). This transition marks Enugu as the first state in Nigeria—and indeed Africa—to develop a sub-national electricity market.
Arinze reported that the EERC made headlines by issuing licenses to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which will take over electricity operations in the state starting at midnight on Wednesday. Additionally, the first Independent Power Project (IPP) in the state, Fedikore Limited, has been licensed to build a power plant with a capacity of 10MW.
Following the enactment of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, the EERC was established to take control after the six-month transition period from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) officially ended. Chijioke Okonkwo, Chairman of the EERC, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “Today marks the beginning of the development of sub-national electricity markets not only in Nigeria and West Africa but across the African continent.”
Okonkwo elaborated on the gravity of their new responsibilities: “This transition is not merely about authority; it encapsulates a vision for a more efficient, responsive, and innovative electricity market. With confidence rooted in the foundation laid by NERC, we aim to foster positive change for the residents of Enugu State.”
He outlined the EERC’s mission, stating, “Our goal is to ensure that Enugu has access to reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity, all while promoting fairness and innovation within the sector.” The Chairman also commended Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for its non-interference, ensuring the EERC can operate independently to craft regulations that meet the state’s needs.
Kester Enwereonu, a board member of Mainpower Electricity Distribution Ltd, echoed this optimism, promising improved electricity services for the people of Enugu State. “Mainpower aims to be a trailblazer just like the EERC. With the newly tailored regulatory framework, we are committed to enhancing services in the upcoming weeks, months, and years.”
Dr. Chukwueloka Umeh, Founder and MD/CEO of Fedikore Ltd, described the establishment as revolutionary. “The EERC has laid the groundwork for a significant transformation, and we are thrilled to be part of this journey. Having launched as the first IPP in Enugu State last year, we built a 4MW plant to supply power to the Enugu State Water Corporation. We are dedicated to working closely with both the government and the EERC to ignite the industrial revolution we have envisioned for years. Together, we can achieve remarkable things.”