Nigeria’s power generation hits 3,213MW

Ikeja electric offers discount to customers

Nigeria’s peak electricity generation increased from the 2,993 Mega Watts (MW) it recorded on July 17 to 3,213MW on Wednesday.

This comes as Ikeja Electric Plc, introduced a debt discount initiative, which provides various percentage discount options to enable customers pay off their outstanding bills and meet their financial obligations to the company.

Though there has been a slight improvement in power generation, which went down to as low as 1,500MW in June, the country’s electricity output is still less than its installed capacity of 11,720.40MW.

The highest peak electricity ever generated this year remained 5,074.7 MW, which was attained on Tuesday, 2nd February 2016.

The Guardian learnt that the eight power plants shut down due to inability to transport gas to them have remained shut.

For example, Geregu Power Plant, Alaoji; National Integrated Power Project (NIPP); Olorunsogo NIPP; Ihovbor NIPP; Trans Amadi, Rivers; and Gbarain are said to remain idle due to shortage of gas.

Furthermore, electricity supply dropped to zero kilowatts five times in June alone.

Explaining the concept behind the discount initiative, the company’s Head Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue said: “Ikeja Electric decided to introduce this scheme as a form of financial support to our customers who are willing to pay down on outstanding amounts owed us. By providing this discount to them, we also share part of the cost of the consumed energy.”

According to him, the three tier scheme provides a 10 per cent discount for customers who owe between N50,000 and N100,000.00; 15 per cent discount for those owing above N100,000 but less than N200,000 and 20 percent discount for customers who owe above N200,000.

He stated: “Customers are however required to apply to the company, stating if they wish to participate in the outright or installment debt discount exercise.

“Interested customers are encouraged to visit the Customer Care representatives situated at Service Centres, Undertakings or Business Units closest to them for more details with regard to their application.

“The company’s efforts at easing transaction and payment options for customers was recently recognised at the 2016 Efficiency Awards, organised by the Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS Plc) where Ikeja Electric bagged the prestigious Cashless Driver Merchant Award, in recognition of her outstanding performance in driving the CBN cashless initiative by recording the highest Point of Sale (POS) transaction count on the National Central Switch (NCS) for the year 2015.”