Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the electricity tariff increment for customers under the Band A classification as the customers will now enjoy 20 hours of uninterrupted power supply.
The Vice Chairman of NERC, Musliu Oseni, said the increase will see the customers paying N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.
Standard-Times Online reported that customers under Band A are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday noon, Oseni said customers in Band A represent 15% of the 12m electricity customers in the country.
He added that the commission had also downgraded some customers on Band A to Band B due to non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.
He said, “We currently have 800 feeders that are categorized as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17% now qualify as Band A feeders. These feeders only service 15% of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.
“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.”
He added that the review will not affect customers on other Bands.
Citing sources, Bloomberg had on Tuesday reported that power companies will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N200 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68 for urban consumers.
It quoted people in the presidency with knowledge of the matter saying this was in a bid to attract new investment and slash about $2.3 billion spent to cap tariffs.
According to NAN, “Nigerians will now have to pay $2.42 per one million British thermal units from the previous rate of $2.18 MMBtu.”
The development comes amid Monday’s announcement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority of an increase in the price of natural gas, which is used to generate more than 70% of electricity in Nigeria.
