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Between January and September 2024, Nigeria exported electricity worth a staggering N181.62 billion, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The N181.62 billion in electricity exports were directed to countries like Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic.
A closer look at the quarterly breakdown reveals a steady flow of energy: N58.65 billion in Q1, N63.28 billion in Q2, and N59.69 billion in Q3. This consistent upward trend demonstrates Nigeria’s increasing role in powering the region and its neighbors.
The NERC, in its April 29, 2024, order titled “Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply and Related Matters”, stated that the restriction would last for an initial six months, subject to review. The directive, signed by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba and Vice Chairman Musiliu Oseni, became effective on May 1, 2024.
Notably, this increase in electricity exports came despite the imposition of restrictions by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in May, which aimed to ensure that Nigeria’s internal energy needs were prioritized.
These new regulations limited electricity exports to just six percent of the country’s total grid supply at any given time, further underscoring the delicate balance the country had to strike between domestic demand and regional energy supply.
NERC stated that the prioritization of electricity exports had compromised the ability of Distribution Companies (Discos) to deliver dependable services under the Service Based Tariff (SBT) framework.
Read also: Electricity Supply Resumes In Northern States, TCN Reports
This shift in focus disrupted the delicate balance needed to ensure that local power distribution was not only maintained but was also efficient and reliable for Nigerian consumers.
“The practice so far adopted by the operator in managing generation availability has caused significant hardship to Discos’ customers, comprising industrial, commercial, and residential users, especially during peak demands while prioritising delivery to other bilateral contracts, including exports to international customers,” NERC stated.
The commission also highlighted inefficiencies in the terms of international and bilateral contracts with Generation Companies (Gencos). It noted that these agreements often fall below the industry’s minimum contract standards, further complicating the equitable distribution of power within Nigeria.
