he Nigerian government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies on the creation of Energy Zones to provide 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries in major demand centres across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, held a closed-door meeting with the management of selected electricity distribution companies to discuss the proposed initiative.
The zones are planned for the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
The meeting was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu.
According to the statement, the initiative is aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply in areas with high commercial and industrial demand.
The proposed Energy Zones are also expected to address challenges in the distribution of electricity by ensuring that power generated and transmitted through the national grid can be taken up and delivered to consumers more effectively.
Tegbe said the challenges in the power sector were not limited to generation and transmission, but also included the ability of distribution companies to receive and deliver available electricity to consumers.
“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,” the minister said.
He said the proposed zones would help address the gap at the distribution end, while increasing commercial and industrial electricity demand and improving the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.
Tegbe also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in areas with high demand.
He said electricity supply capacity must increase in line with the needs of Nigeria’s growing economy.
The proposed zones would focus on areas where reliable electricity supply is considered important to businesses, manufacturing and other productive activities.
However, the government has not announced a timeline for the implementation of the initiative.
It also did not disclose the expected electricity capacity of the zones or the specific infrastructure investments required to achieve 24-hour supply.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.
The proposed Energy Zones are being considered amid continued concerns over the reliability of electricity supply and the capacity of distribution companies to deliver available power to consumers.
The initiative is also part of the Nigerian government’s broader plan to address challenges in the electricity sector and improve power supply for economic and industrial activities.
