‘GenCos can deliver 8, 500mw, seek robust supply systems’
The over 23 active Generation Companies (GenCos) in Nigeria can deliver 8, 500 megawatts (mw) of electricity with improved transmission and distribution systems, operators in the power sector have said.
A communiqué issued yesterday after the 2nd quarter Electricity Market Participants Forum in Abuja, said the operators of GenCos called for improvement in transmission and distribution capacity to accommodate the generation level.
The forum organised by the Market Operator arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) proffered solutions to critical challenges in the sector, said the communiqué was endorsed by the Ibadan Distribution Company (DisCo) representative, Sola Adeyegbe, TCN representative, Kabiru Adamu, and that of Omotosho GenCo, Emeka Akparah.
Service Providers, comprising TCN, NERC and the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) recommended the formation of a ‘Metering Company’ to manage both trading and consumers metering. They said it would ensure standards and efficient deployment of metres.
The GenCos also approved of the plans by the Federal Government to centralise market collection to ensure appropriate disbursement.
They also called for the declaration of eligible customers that could buy power from GenCos directly. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved this shortly after the forum at the weekend.
The DisCos called for market subsidy to support the purchasing power of the population, while urging government to redeem a promise of N100 billion subsidy for the sector. They also recommended that legislative action be taken to tackle electricity theft and a declaration that debtor customers be made to pay interest on their outstanding bills.