DisCos pay N137b to TCN amid persistent grid collapses

Fail to remit N25.64b for market, administrative charges

The 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) operating in the country paid a total of N137.06 billion to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in the first nine months of 2024 as transmission and administrative charges, despite the unstable state of grid infrastructure, which collapsed more than 12 times last year.

The market operator billed the DisCos N162.7 billion, an amount ultimately passed on to consumers for the electricity delivered to them during the period.

According to quarterly reports by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the DisCos paid N137.06 billion out of the total bill, leaving an outstanding balance of N25.64 billion.

In the first quarter of 2024, the DisCos remitted N45.10 billion out of a cumulative invoice of N48.16 billion issued by the market operator. During the second quarter, they remitted N46.78 billion against a cumulative invoice of N55.77 billion, while in the third quarter, they remitted N45.18 billion against a cumulative invoice of N58.77 billion.

The payments made in the first quarter translated to a remittance performance of 93.64 per cent, marking a 23.98 per cent increase compared to the 69.66 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, when the DisCos remitted N32.55 billion out of an invoice of N46.73 billion.

Ikeja and Ibadan DisCos recorded the highest remittance performances in the first quarter at 105.79 per cent and 100.00 per cent, respectively, while Kaduna and Yola DisCos recorded the lowest performances at 47.54 per cent and 46.39 per cent, respectively.

In the second quarter, remittance performance declined to 83.88 per cent, representing a 9.76 per cent drop from the 93.64 per cent recorded in the first quarter. The disaggregated performance data showed Yola and Eko DisCos achieving the highest remittance rates of 149.99 per cent and 95.92 per cent, respectively, while Kaduna DisCo recorded the lowest rate at 21.84 per cent.

Apart from Yola and Eko DisCos, the remaining nine DisCos experienced declines in remittance performance. Jos, Kaduna, and Kano DisCos recorded the most significant drops at -32.77 per cent, -25.70 per cent, and -22.40 per cent, respectively.

In the third quarter, the DisCos’ remittance performance further declined to 76.88 per cent, representing a 7.00 per cent drop from the 83.88 per cent recorded in the second quarter.

Ikeja, Abuja, and Yola DisCos recorded the highest remittance performances at 94.80 per cent, 87.42 per cent, and 86.34 per cent, respectively, while Kaduna DisCo had the lowest performance at 16.94 per cent.

In a separate development, TCN has announced the rationing of power supply to customers of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from tomorrow to January 20.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, made the announcement in a statement issued in Abuja over the weekend.

Mbah explained that the power rationing is due to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)’s road dualisation project along the Apo axis. She noted that eight 132-kilovolt (kV) and 33kV towers along the Kukwaba/Apo 132kV line (Outer Southern Expressway route) would need to be relocated.

The areas expected to be affected include Kubwa, Karu, Maraba, Nyanya, Masaka, Keffi, Kukwaba, and Apo Mechanic. Additionally, parts of Lugbe, Trademore Estate, Pyakasa, Sabon Lugbe, Chika, and the Alaita axis will also experience power rationing.

“This relocation work will necessitate a planned power outage from January 6 to January 20, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily, which is the estimated duration for dismantling and constructing the towers.

“It will also allow for the restringing of power cables to enable the resumption of bulk power supply to the Apo Transmission Substation from Gwagwalada Substation,” Mbah stated.

She explained that relocating the transmission towers is essential for completing the road project and apologised for the inconvenience the planned power outage may cause.

Mbah assured customers that power supply would be restored promptly once the tower relocation and cable stringing are completed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had earlier announced an impending power interruption in parts of its franchise areas from January 6 to January 21.