The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission states that it is taking steps to resolve the erratic power supply in various parts of the state, according to a statement on Sunday.
The MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited issued a statement on August 4, blaming the development on the drastic reduction of energy being supplied to it by its parent company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
It stated that the reduction followed the decision to slash the electricity tariff for Band A from N209 per kWh to N160 per kWh.
Many parts of the state, especially those in Bands B to E, have been without power since August 1 to date.
The commission stated that it had met with both EEDC and MainpPower, assuring Enugu residents that it was taking the necessary steps to restore normalcy.
“Sequel to the public announcement from MainPower, which stated that EEDC directed the curtailing of power supply to Bands B to E Feeders, and the challenges in vending being experienced by the customers in the state, we invited MainPower to a meeting.
“The aim is to ascertain the reasons for the decision to curtail power supply in Enugu State and vending challenges being experienced by customers. During the meeting, MainPower explained that they (MainPower and EEDC) were having difficulties separating Enugu State from the rest of the states in the coverage area of EEDC.
“This challenge was termed ‘code coverage conflicts and related glitches’ but gave assurance that the issue would be sorted out very soon,” the commission said.
EERC, however, mandated MainPower to formally communicate with customers about vending challenges and the efforts being made to resolve them.
The commission also reminded the company of the provisions of its Business Rules, which require that it should make a formal petition within 30 days of the commission’s tariff order, if it was not satisfied, instead of resorting to curtailing supply.
“The petition will enable a public hearing on the Tariff Order to which the outcome will be implemented. The Business Rules is accessible to all the stakeholders on the commission’s website (www.eerc.en.gov.ng),” it stated.
EERC added that it was consulting with relevant stakeholders at the state and federal levels and will endeavour to apply an appropriate regulatory approach in dealing with the issue.
It maintained that the measure would help ensure that developers, service providers, customers, and Enugu residents get the full benefit of the evolving sub-national electricity market in the state.
“We will also ensure that MainPower recovers sufficient revenue that covers their efficient costs of doing business in Enugu State plus a fair return on capital invested, as provided in section 34 (2)(b) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023,” the commission added.
NAN
