- NERC orders nine DisCos to compensate Band A customers on 557 streets for failing to deliver the required 20-hour daily power supply.
- EKEDC and AEDC top the list with the most affected feeders and streets, including key government and commercial locations.
- NERC downgrades 58 streets and upgrades 33 others based on feeder performance, as it intensifies monitoring under the service-reflective tariff model.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to compensate Band A customers on 557 streets for poor power supply.
This instruction was issued in the April 2025 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). NERC mandated compensation through electricity credits or improved supply.
NERC reviewed the performance of 152 electricity feeders. The commission found that the feeders failed to meet the minimum 20-hour daily supply expected under the Band A tariff.
NERC instructed DisCos to compensate customers who received less than 20 hours but more than 18 hours of power daily. The commission also directed DisCos to downgrade feeders delivering below 18 hours to lower service bands.
“AEDC shall compensate affected Band A customers listed in Appendix 3. Feeders listed in Appendix 2 shall move to lower bands,” NERC said.
The directive affected several DisCos: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ikeja Electric (IE), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC).
EKEDC topped the list with 155 streets under 57 feeders. AEDC followed with 74 streets on 20 feeders.
Under AEDC, affected locations include the National War College, Chinese Embassy, Papal Ground, Aso Gardens, Sahad Superstores, NERC Headquarters, Central Bank of Nigeria Headquarters, Ministry of Works and Housing, Reiz Continental, and Nicon Luxury Hotel.
PHED must compensate customers across 131 streets on 22 feeders. IE must provide compensation for 105 streets on 25 feeders. IBEDC must cover 59 streets on 14 feeders. BEDC must handle 14 streets. KEDCO and KAEDC must compensate customers on two and three streets, respectively.
NERC also ordered feeder reclassification. The commission downgraded 58 streets on 15 feeders from Band A. AEDC must downgrade 26 streets on three feeders. EKEDC, EEDC, KEDCO, KAEDC, IE, IBEDC, and BEDC must also downgrade underperforming feeders.
Meanwhile, NERC upgraded 33 streets on 15 feeders to Band A. EEDC will upgrade 21 streets on eight feeders. Yola Electricity Distribution Company will upgrade six streets on five feeders. Jos Electricity Distribution Company will also upgrade six streets on five feeders.
In April 2024, NERC introduced a controversial over-300 per cent tariff hike for Band A customers. The commission promised these customers at least 20 hours of daily electricity.
Many customers have since complained about erratic supply and higher living costs. Businesses also reported increased production expenses.
NERC aims to match billing with service under the service-based tariff system. The commission promised more vigorous enforcement against poor performance.
NERC will continue monitoring feeder operations. The commission warned DisCos to improve or face more sanctions.