The Federal Government has opened talks with electricity distribution companies on the creation of Energy Zones that will target 24-hour power supply in major electricity demand centres across Nigeria.
The proposed zones will cover the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, with the initiative focused on improving the delivery of available electricity to homes, businesses and industries.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, discussed the plan during a closed-door meeting with executives of selected electricity distribution companies.
His media aide, Adeola Adelabu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The initiative is aimed at tackling distribution bottlenecks that prevent electricity generated and transmitted through the national grid from reaching consumers consistently, particularly in areas with significant commercial and industrial activities.
Tegbe said the problems in the power sector were not confined to generation and transmission, stressing that distribution capacity remained a major constraint.
“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,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.
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According to the minister, the Energy Zones would help bridge the distribution gap, stimulate commercial and industrial electricity demand, and strengthen the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.
Tegbe also reiterated the Federal Government’s plan to expand electricity infrastructure in high-demand locations, noting that power supply capacity must keep pace with the country’s growing economy.
The proposed zones are expected to prioritise areas where dependable electricity is essential for manufacturing, businesses and other productive activities.
However, the government has yet to disclose when the project will commence, the amount of electricity each zone is expected to deliver or the specific infrastructure required to achieve round-the-clock supply.
The meeting was part of Tegbe’s stated commitment, following his assumption of office, to pursue a structured and phased approach to resolving the longstanding challenges in the electricity sector.
The initiative is also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places reliable electricity supply among the key drivers of economic expansion, industrialisation and employment.
Representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.
The proposed Energy Zones come against the backdrop of continuing concerns over electricity reliability and the ability of distribution companies to effectively deliver available power to consumers.