The Federal Government has begun talks with electricity distribution companies on plans to provide 24-hour power supply in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and other major demand centres across the country.
The proposed Energy Zones will cover the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, met with the management of selected electricity distribution companies to discuss the plan, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Adeola Adelabu.
The statement said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to provide more reliable electricity to homes, businesses and industries in areas with high demand.
It said the Energy Zones were also aimed at addressing problems at the distribution end of the electricity supply chain, ensuring that power generated and transmitted to the national grid could reach consumers.
Tegbe said the challenges in the power sector were not limited to generation and transmission.
‘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 minister said.
According to him, the proposed Energy Zones would help improve the amount of electricity distributed to consumers while increasing commercial and industrial demand.
The minister also said the plan could improve the revenue and collection performance of electricity distribution companies.
Tegbe reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to expand electricity infrastructure in areas with high demand, stressing that power supply must increase as the economy grows.
The proposed zones will focus on areas where stable electricity is needed by businesses, manufacturers and other productive sectors.
However, the statement did not give a timeline for the implementation of the Energy Zones. It also did not state the expected capacity of the zones or the infrastructure investments required to provide 24-hour power.
The meeting was part of Tegbe’s plan to address challenges in the power sector through a phased approach, the statement said.
The initiative is also linked to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies reliable electricity as important to economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.
Representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.