Kogi Joins Other States As NERC Transfers Electricity Market Regulatory Oversight To KSERC

Kogi State has joined the likes of Oyo, Edo, Imo and Enugu states as the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Wednesday, granted it regulatory oversight powers over electricity market through the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC).

Earlier, NERC had transfered electricity market regulatory oversight to the following states’ Electricity Regulatory Commissions namely: Oyo state (OSERC), Edo State (ESERC), Imo State (ISERC), and Enugu State (EERC)

NERC disclosed the latest transfer in its X handle post, citing that the transfer of the regulatory oversight functions to the KSERC is “In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended).”

NERC effected this through an order issued to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Kogi State from the Commission to the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC).

The transfer Order by NERC, among other provisions, directs: “Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to incorporate a subsidiary (AEDC SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Kogi State from AEDC.

“AEDC shall complete the incorporation of AEDC SubCo within 60 days from 13th September 2024. The subcompany shall apply for and obtain licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from KSERC, among other directives.

“All transfers envisaged by this order shall be completed by 12th March 2025.”

Further, NERC recalls that with the EA 2023, the Commission retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.

The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the State Regulator.

NERC explained that based on this, the Government of Kogi State complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notified NERC and requested for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in Kogi State.