We’ll deliver 5,000MW of electricity by July, NERC promises Nigerians

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has promised Nigerians improved power supply from July 1.

According to NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, starting from next month, the nation would witness 5,000MW in transmission and distribution.

Garba stated this at an interactive session with journalists after the second Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in Lagos on Wednesday.

“Yes, we have had discussions with the gas suppliers within our regulatory space. We have them on board to ensure that once we made the commercial requirements, gas was going to flow,” Garba said.

“Now, for transmission we have heard of figures well in excess of 5,000MW and clearly TCN will be able to deliver that.

“I recall clearly that in March last year we had 5,400MW. So, it means it is quite possible based on signed commitments.

“And whenever the power is available and DisCos do not take the power; then they will pay liquidated damages that will compensate other market participants.

“We might not have 24/7 power supply from July 1 but Nigerians will see the trajectory because the target is to have an average of 5,000MW daily for transmission and distribution.”

Speaking on blackouts in the country, Garba blamed the recent collapse of the national grid on inadequate gas supply as well as vandalism.

“The challenges of today are very clear. In the past, it used to be weak infrastructure and so on and so forth. Now we have certain external factors contributing to these events.

“Obviously, it’s not common around the world to see people coming down, pulling down transmission towers for no reason; or blowing up crude oil lines.

“In a number of instances, most of the gas we have today is associated gas and because of that when crude lines are disrupted, it also affects the supply of gas to the thermal stations,” he said.