The Federal Government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies on plans to establish dedicated Energy Zones that could provide round-the-clock electricity to homes, businesses and industries in major demand centres.
The proposed zones will cover the Lagos axis, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during a closed-door meeting with the management of selected electricity distribution companies.
According to a statement by his media aide, Adeola Adelabu, the initiative is aimed at addressing distribution challenges and ensuring that available electricity generated and transmitted through the national grid reaches consumers more reliably.
Tegbe said the power sector’s challenges extend beyond generation and transmission to the ability of distribution companies to take up and deliver available electricity.
“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” he said.
The minister said the Energy Zones would help close the distribution gap, stimulate commercial and industrial demand and improve the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.
He also reiterated the government’s plan to expand electricity infrastructure in high-demand areas, stressing that supply capacity must keep pace with Nigeria’s growing economy.
The proposed zones are expected to prioritise areas where reliable electricity is critical to manufacturing, businesses and other productive activities.
However, the government has yet to announce a timeline for implementation, the expected power capacity or the specific infrastructure projects required to achieve 24-hour supply.
Representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.
The Federal Government said the engagement forms part of Tegbe’s phased approach to tackling longstanding challenges in the power sector and supports the administration’s focus on improving electricity supply, industrialisation and job creation.