Punch Newspaper page 19 reports that Federal Government plans, 3,863Megawatts of electricity to boost power supply to customers across the country in the next 24 months.
The paper further reports that according to data obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the current state of the sector indicated that the country’s transmission infrastructure could evacuate about 7,000MW, while distribution companies could distribute about 5,800MW while gas constrained availability stood at +/-5,500MW; as fuel availability and infrastructure could support between 4,000MW to 6,000MW.
Speaking further on the quantum of electricity to be added in the next two years; NERC said it has identified remedial plan with TCN and DISCOS on addressing the key interface challenges in the short, medium and long terms.
Details captioned of the story: “FG plans 3,863MW to boost power grid”.
(i)Â Daily Trust Newspaper page 19 reports that epileptic power has gradually made business in the country slow and difficult, according to the paper, power supply has been the bone of business in Nigeria, but the problem has taken a dire dimension with the national grid suffering reported collapse.
Details captioned of the story: “Inflation, epileptic power, cost of diesel erode gains of doing business in Nigeria”.
(ii) Daily Trust Newspaper page 19 reports that Nigeria’s solar companies are seeing a surge in the demand for mini-grids as business owners look for alternative source of power. According to the paper the increase in the demand for (SOLAR) is driven by the spike in the prices of diesel this year.
The paper further stated that, the Day Star CEO and Co-founder Jasper Graf said, the company is working towards installing a 12MW of solar across Nigeria, they could install 60MW this year if the equipment’s are available. It is said that solar power adoption is estimated at below 2% and some businesses perceive it as unsuitable for large scale use.
Details captioned of the story: “Nigerian businesses turn to solar as diesel costs bite”.
(i)Â Daily Sun Newspaper page 2, Daily Trust Newspaper page 21 and Leadership Newspaper page 8 reported that the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has highly condemned the plan to sell the Ihovba, Calabar, Geregu, Olorunsogo and Omotosho power plants, by the National Council of Privatization and Bureau of Public Enterprises (NIPPs) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC). The groups alleges that the move to sell the plants is an attempt to short change and diminish the economic viability of the region, they are demanding that the Northern Federal Lawmakers should stand firmly against the attempt.
Details captioned of the stories are as follows:-
Daily Sun: “Northern group rejects sale of Ihovba, Calabar, Geregu power plants”.
 Daily Trust: “Don’t sell power assets, group cautions FG”.
 Leadership: “Northern Youths Oppose Sale of 5 Power Plants”.
 (ii) Daily Sun Newspaper page 15 reports that the people of Okpoko Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State have lamented over the high estimated billing system by the Management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which the residents described as long years of exploitation. The Okpoko residents have written several letters and petitions accused EEDC Ogbaru unit of estimated billings, double billings and collection of payments for services not rendered including intimidation.
Details captioned of the story: “Energy bills breed crisis in Anambra community”.
Nkem Kalu
Information Officer I
For: Director, Information/Press
