FG proposes creation of energy zones to deliver 24-hour electricity

The federal government has proposed the creation of energy zones across the country to deliver 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries. Joseph Tegbe, the Minister of Power, disclosed this during a closed-door meeting with selected distribution companies. He said the proposed initiative is targeting the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port Harcourt as corridors.

Adeola Adelabu, the minister’s media aide, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. The minister said the initiative was designed to address electricity distribution constraints and ensure that power generated and transmitted to the national grid reaches consumers more reliably, particularly in areas with high commercial and industrial demand.

Tegbe said the challenges facing the power sector extended beyond electricity generation and transmission to the capacity of distribution companies to receive and deliver available electricity to end users. He said the constraint on the sector was not limited to generation and transmission, but also included how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end.

Tegbe said the proposed Energy Zones would help close the gap, unlock commercial and industrial demand, and improve the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies. He also said proposed energy zones were expected to focus on locations where reliable electricity is critical to businesses, manufacturing and other productive activities.

Tegbe also reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in areas with high demand, noting that supply capacity must grow in line with the needs of Nigeria’s expanding economy. The statement said the meeting formed part of Tegbe’s commitment to adopting a disciplined and phased approach to the sector’s longstanding challenges.

It said the meeting also aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies reliable electricity supply as a key driver of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.