- Energy experts urge Nigeria to expand local meter manufacturing and secure sustainable financing to accelerate meter deployment and close the metering gap.
- Experts highlight smart-meter investment, improved revenue collection and lessons from India, while calling for a coordinated national metering plan.
Energy sector experts have called on Nigeria to expand local meter manufacturing and secure sustainable financing to accelerate electricity meter deployment and close the national metering gap.
They made the call during a webinar on rapid meter rollout, highlighting the need for a coordinated national metering plan. Such a plan, they said, would improve revenue collection, reduce estimated billing and curb electricity theft.
Financing and deployment
Mr Odion Omonfoman, the webinar host, said his company had achieved over 90 per cent metering coverage. He added that it had deployed more than 200,000 meters through the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme and vendor-financing model.
The company is targeting full metering coverage by extending installations to all customers across its transformers and feeders.
“Metering remains a strategic investment in revenue assurance,” Omonfoman said. “It enables customers to pay for the electricity they consume while reducing dissatisfaction associated with estimated billing.”
Tackling electricity theft
Engr Alegie Alfred, Head of Metering at Power Limited Electric Company (MPLEC), said Abia Power was addressing energy theft, meter bypass and vandalism.
Its measures include routine inspections, remote monitoring, consumption-pattern analysis, customer education and revenue-protection teams.
Lessons from India
Ms Ravleen Sethi, Director of Large Corporate Ratings at CareEdge, highlighted India’s experience in accelerating smart-meter deployment.
She attributed the progress to government-backed programmes, private-sector investment and improved financing arrangements.
Sethi identified India’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), introduced in 2021, as a major driver of investment. The scheme has also supported the expansion of the country’s meter manufacturing capacity.
Call for a national metering plan
Engr Durosola Omogbenigun, President of the Meter Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, called for a coordinated national metering plan.
He said the plan should involve federal and state governments, electricity distribution companies, investors, regulators and local manufacturers.