From Tariff Dispute To Darkness: Enugu’s Electricity Supply Slashed

Enugu residents are currently experiencing widespread power disruptions following a 50% reduction in electricity supply by Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC), after a recent tariff adjustment.

According to Ireporter Online, the sudden cut has plunged many communities into darkness, disrupting households and crippling businesses across the state.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Engr. Abdul Mohammed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), said the reaction to the tariff adjustment—by curtailing power supply to Enugu State by half—could have significant operational and financial consequences for the electricity market, particularly at the interfaces between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the DisCos.

He noted that the development, though within the remit of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission under the Electricity Act 2023 (as amended), has generated considerable industry attention.

According to Ireporter Online, the EEDC formally communicated to NISO that it initiated the power curtailment in response to the state’s revised electricity tariff.

Mohammed warned that such measures could disrupt Service Level Agreements (SLA) on power transfer capacity and raise concerns about operational stability, market dispatch, and the overall financial equilibrium of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

He emphasized NISO’s dual mandate under the Electricity Act, the Market Rules, and the Grid Code—to administer the wholesale electricity market while maintaining both commercial balance and technical stability.

While reiterating NISO’s neutrality and respect for the roles of the state regulator and the distribution company, Mohammed stressed the need for coordinated dialogue to align state-level pricing policies with national power sector sustainability.

According to Ireporter Online, the engagement brought together the Chairman of the Commission, EEDC management, and top industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).

The discussions aimed to address the rationale for the tariff change, evaluate its wider implications, and seek solutions that ensure fair pricing, reliable supply, and long-term sector growth.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”