The Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, EKEDP in Nigeria has plans to acquire about 474MW of power via the entrenched generation. In this regard, companies that generate power in the country are urged to consider the rooted electricity generation program.
The program involves the construction of small sized generating plants which will be connected to and supply through the distribution network infrastructure. This project is expected to take between 18 to 24 months to complete.
However, the EKEDP has already presented the power generation program proposal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for approval. The program will be used in improving the power shortage in the country experienced in recent times by doubling its current allocation from the national grid.
In the meantime, EKEDP has already installed 29,071 prepaid meters which took a period of 18 months to install; on the other hand additional 50,000 prepaid meters have been approved by the company’s Board of Directors at a cost of US$261.52m. Nonetheless, the company looks at increasing the power allocation with about 700MW from the grid through the bilateral agreements with the active merchant generators and the embedded Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Furthermore, out of the 50 companies who submitted their interest in being part of the program, only 14 companies were granted the qualification to participate in the first phase of the embedded power generation programme as well as handling the technical and commercial capacity.
According to Mr. Oladele Amoda, the EKEDP Managing Director, having the NERC supporting the program the performance will however be measured through the consumers who will testify on the advantage and benefits of the privatization of the power sector.
Furthermore, the EKEDP is in bilateral negotiations with the intentions to procure sufficient power towards the program which will bring relief to the consumers in the short term basis.
