The Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has expressed support for the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC)’s decision to reduce the electricity tariff for Band A customers under MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited.
The decision defies strong criticism from power generation companies (GenCos) who warned the move could destabilise the already fragile national power sector.
In a statement jointly signed, yesterday, by the Chairman of FOCPEN and Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Cross River State, Prince Eka Williams, and the Secretary of the Forum and Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, Benue State, Omale Omale, the group defended the Enugu regulator’s action, insisting it complied with all constitutional and legal provisions guiding state electricity markets.
The statement reads in part: “It is crucial to understand that Enugu State’s actions are fully aligned with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electricity Act 2023, and Enugu State electricity laws and regulations.”
These legal frameworks empower states to regulate their intra-state electricity markets, including determining and implementing electricity tariffs within their jurisdiction, which are fair to electricity consumers and sufficient to allow licensees to recover their operating expenses and investments.”
FOCPEN further clarified that the EERC’s recent tariff order did not emerge in isolation but followed “a comprehensive and meticulous review process that involved a thorough examination of the capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (OpEx) assumptions of MainPower Electricity Distribution Company, and the state electricity distribution company.
