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Power: Abuja Disco Adds 60,000 Meters worth N2.4bn

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  • Power: Abuja Disco Adds 60,000 Meters worth N2.4bn

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Friday moved closer to ending its practice of estimated billing to electricity consumers in its network when it signed an agreement with indigenous Nigerian meter manufacturing outfit – Mojec Nigeria, to procure and install 60,000 units of electricity meters at the premises of its residential consumers.

The agreement which was signed by the Managing Director of Abuja Disco, Mr. Ernest Mupwaya, and Chairman of Mojec, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul, at the Disco’s corporate headquarter in Abuja, was worth N2.4 billion, and would reportedly bring the Disco closer to accomplishing its plan to provide 120,000 meters to its customers in its 2017 business year.

Already, the Disco had earlier in the year deployed 30,000 meters to residential consumers in its network, in addition to the volumes it deployed to its maximum demand consumers as initially directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

It also disclosed that it would sign another fresh agreement for the manufacture and supply of an additional 30,000 meters with an undisclosed metering firm next week, to bring its meter deployment target for 2017 to fulfillment.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mupwaya, explained that so far, the Discos had invested $2 million and N3.6 billion on meter procurement and installation across its network. He also noted that a total of $150 million had however been spent on metering and other infrastructure by the Disco.

Mupwaya, equally stated that with the Disco’s advancement of its metering plan, it was looking forward to closing down on repeated revenue losses to estimated customers and energy theft.

He explained that the Disco was more comfortable with providing meters to its customers as against reports that it was more at an advantage keeping with estimated billing. He however said that funding the meter deployment was still demanding.

According to him, most Discos in the country’s power market were going through various operational challenges which he said included tariffs that were not cost reflective; systemic thefts of energy by consumers; and vandalism of distribution assets across their networks.

“This is an important milestone for us. This is part of our agreement with the government, and we know metering is at the heart of the power sector transformation,” said Mupwaya.

He further stated: “We had earlier signed a contract for the procurement and deployment of 30,000 residential meters, we are signing another one for 60,000 and will by next week sign another for 30,000 to bring it to 120,000 which we committed to do in 2017.

“For this particular programme, it is costing us N2.4 billion, but we are doing it despite the challenges because we believe that if we reduce losses in the long-term, we could reduce tariff. That is why we are serious about our metering programme.”

He also noted that: “In areas without meters, we have very high losses, unlike areas with meter. So, it is actually in our interest to meter our customers.”

Similarly in her remarks, Abdul noted that the Disco had remained one of its frontline customers, adding that its support for local meter manufacturing outfits like hers had remained encouraging.

She however called for government’s support of the metering industry and the Discos, pointing out that so far, charges by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) for testing of meters at its testing stations were affecting the Disco’s metering plans.

Abdul, stated that her firm had the capacity to produce up to 1.1 million meters for the Discos in the country but the financial challenges of the Discos had not made it possible for it to attain optimal production at its plant.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Energy

How Nigeria’s National Power Grid Collapsed Ten Times Within 9 Months 

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The national power grid has again collapsed, leaving many Nigerians in total darkness.

Investors King can authoritatively report that this is the tenth time the power grid will be disrupted this year alone.

For this recent collapse, the grid, reportedly lost power generation around 1:39 pm on Tuesday.

Information revealed that power generation was 2,711 megawatts as of 1:00 pm, having previously peaked at 3,631 MW.

Earlier, power generation peaked at 3,934.77 MW around six o’clock in the morning.

However, between 2 pm and 3 pm, hourly generation dropped to 0.00 MW.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah mentioned that the recent collapse was due to a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Mbah pointed out that data from the National Control Centre revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

TCN however indicated that work work is in progress to restore power.

She explained that engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the “partial disturbance.”

Mbah noted that presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, maintaining that “we are gradually restoring it to other parts of the country.”

She apologized to Nigerians for whatever inconvenience the collapse might have caused.

Findings by Investors King revealed that the grid had collapsed at ten different times between March and November, this year.

Times the grid collapsed included February 4, March 28, April 15, July 16, two times in August 5, October 14, October 15, twice in October 19 and now today, November 5.

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Darkness Falls Again: TCN Explains Latest National Grid Collapse

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has provided an explanation for the latest National Grid collapse, which occurred on Tuesday, November 5.

Tuesday’s collapse, marking the 10th in 2024 alone, left Nigerians in total darkness.

Recall that the National Grid collapsed twice in October, sparking concerns among Nigerians.

Reacting to the latest collapse via a statement on Tuesday, the General Manager of TCN Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the collapse happened at 1:52 pm.

The GM revealed that the grid collapse was caused by line and generator trippings.

Mrs. Mbah said, “TCN states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm today, 5th November 2024.

“This followed a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

Mbah disclosed that operators are working to restore power in affected states, adding that power was restored in Abuja.

She explained, “TCN engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the partial disturbance. Presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, and we are gradually restoring power to other parts of the country.”

Apologizing to Nigerians, TCN said, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our electricity customers.”

Investors King, in an earlier report, revealed that in an attempt to address the persistent collapse of the national grid, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced that discussions were underway with Independent Operators to take over the management of the grid.

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Energy

Nigeria Partners with ECOWAS and Morocco to Launch $26B African Gas Pipeline

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The Nigerian government, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has announced plans to advance the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project to drive economic growth across Africa.

This development was revealed on Monday, November 5, by Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

Speaking at the meeting, which was attended by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy as well as representatives from Morocco and Mauritania, Kyari stated that, once completed, the project will connect 13 African countries.

Represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas Power & New Energy, Kyari said this will be Africa’s largest pipeline project.

Ogunleye confirmed that progress has been made with the front-end engineering design completed, the phase two study finalized, and work ongoing for environmental and social impact assessments as well as land acquisition and resettlement.

He emphasized NNPC’s readiness to execute the project: “Today, we come together to make significant progress in the African Atlantic gas pipeline project, which is a transformative initiative connecting at least 13 African nations in shared prosperity and development. These achievements underscore our capability to deliver this landmark project, supported by strong regional collaboration.”

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), described the project as a game-changer for the regional economy, stating, “We stand at a critical juncture where these agreements can reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people.”

He also highlighted that the project will increase Africa’s presence in the global gas market, noting that “the agreements demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing hydrocarbon and energy trade across ECOWAS, enhancing access to natural gas in West Africa, and expanding Africa’s global footprint in the gas market.”

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