The Federal Government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies on plans to establish special Energy Zones capable of providing 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries.
The proposed zones will cover major economic corridors, including the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, met with the management of selected electricity distribution companies to discuss the initiative.
The meeting was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu.
According to the statement, the initiative is designed to improve electricity reliability in areas with high commercial and industrial demand.
The government also wants to ensure that electricity generated and transmitted through the national grid is effectively received and delivered to consumers.
Tegbe said the challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector go beyond generation and transmission.
He noted that the distribution end must also have the capacity to take up available electricity and deliver it to consumers.
“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” Tegbe said.
The minister said the Energy Zones would help close this gap and improve the ability of distribution companies to serve major consumers.
He added that the initiative could boost commercial and industrial electricity demand while improving the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.
Tegbe also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in areas with strong demand.
He said power supply capacity must grow alongside Nigeria’s expanding economy.
The proposed zones will therefore focus on locations where dependable electricity is considered critical to manufacturing, businesses and other productive activities.
However, the government has yet to announce a commencement date for the proposed Energy Zones.
It has also not disclosed the electricity capacity expected in each zone or the specific infrastructure investments required to achieve 24-hour supply.
Representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.
The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over electricity reliability and the ability of distribution companies to deliver available power to consumers.
The government says the proposed Energy Zones form part of its broader efforts to improve electricity supply and support economic and industrial activities.
