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 NERC Approves Increase in Electricity Tariff for Band A Customers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has given the green light for an increase in electricity tariffs for customers classified under Band A. The Vice Chairman of NERC, Musliu Oseni, announced that this adjustment would entail customers paying N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the current N66 rate.

Band A customers, who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will be affected by this tariff hike. Oseni disclosed these details during a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting that Band A customers constitute approximately 15% of the 12 million electricity consumers nationwide.

Additionally, Oseni noted that NERC has downgraded some customers from Band A to Band B due to the failure to meet the required hours of electricity provision by the distribution companies. He revealed that the number of feeders categorized as Band A would be reduced from 800 to under 500, affecting around 17% of customers on these feeders.

However, Oseni clarified that the tariff review would not impact customers in other tariff bands. This decision by NERC aligns with recent reports indicating a move towards tariff adjustments to attract new investment and reduce the financial burden on the government, which currently subsidizes electricity tariffs.

In related developments, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority recently announced an increase in the price of natural gas, a key component in electricity generation, further indicating a shift in energy pricing policies in the country.