Over 7 Million Power Consumers Left in the Dark as Meter Shortage Persists

Over 7 million power consumers find themselves grappling with uncertainty as the shortage of meters continues to cast a shadow over the nation’s power sector.

According to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), a staggering 7,117,167 consumers across the country are still without meters.

The latest third-quarter report from NERC reveals that, as of September 30, 2023, out of the 12,825,005 registered electricity customers, only 5,707,838 (44.51%) have been metered.

This glaring deficit highlights the significant gap between registered users and those equipped with meters, leaving a vast number of consumers in the dark about their electricity consumption.

Analysis of the quarterly reports indicates that electricity distribution companies managed to install a total of 504,729 meters from January to September 2023.

The first quarter saw 175,281 installations, followed by 181,059 in the second quarter, and a slight drop to 148,389 in the third quarter.

These numbers signify progress but remain insufficient to bridge the extensive gap in meter coverage.

The challenges associated with metering persist despite ongoing efforts.

The NERC report highlights the Meter Asset Provider framework as the source of 147,736 installations during the third quarter, with an additional 207 meters installed under the National Mass Metering Programme framework.

However, the figures also reveal a decline in installations compared to the preceding quarter.

The low deployment of meters continues to be attributed to the liquidity crisis within the power sector. Industry operators point to financial constraints as a major hindrance to addressing the metering shortfall.

During a recent power sector ministerial retreat, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu acknowledged the need for long-term financing to revitalize the sector and attract essential investments.

As the metering dilemma persists, millions of Nigerians remain in the dark, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to enhance the accessibility and reliability of electricity across the nation.