Discos Collect N193.53bn From Consumers Amidst Blackouts

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on Monday announced that the power distribution companies collected a total revenue of N193.53bn in the third quarter of 2021.

Power supply has constantly decreased and remained unstable since the privatization of the sector since November 2013.

However, in its just-released third quarter 2021 report, the power sector has revealed that a total of N193bn was raked in during that period.

Commenting on collection efficiency by the Discos, the commission said, “The total revenue collected by all Discos in 2021/Q3 was N193.53bn out of the N273bn billed to customers. This represents a collection efficiency of 70.89 per cent as compared to 68.89 per cent recorded in 2021/Q2.

“The total revenue collected in 2021/Q3 rose by N8.24bn (+4.45 per cent) from N185.29bn recorded in 2021/Q2. The overall improvement in collection efficiency during the quarter under review could be attributed to the roll-out of meters under both the National Mass Metering Programme funded through the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the continuation of the Meter Asset Provider scheme.”

Speaking on market remittance NERC stated that combined Market Operator invoice and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc’s Market remittance order adjusted invoice to Discos in 2021/Q3 was N208.54bn for energy and administrative services.

Providing updates on available generation capacity, the commission stated that during the third quarter of 2021, there were 26 grid-connected power stations consisting of 10 privatised legacy power plants, nine National Integrated Power Project plants, and seven Independent Power Plants.

The available generation capacity for the 26 plants was 5,301.32 megawatts, representing a 9.45 per cent increase from 4,843.58MW1 recorded in 2021/Q2.

On the performance of the national grid, the commission revealed that the stability of the grid network declined slightly with one total and partial system collapse that occurred on July 28 and August 23 2021 respectively, as against one total collapse in 2021/Q2.

“To improve the grid stability in the subsequent quarter and beyond, the commission continues to enforce and monitor compliance by Discos and TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) with respect to the execution of service level agreements to ensure further grid discipline,” the NERC stated.