NERC Transfers Abia State Electricity Regulatory Powers to ASERA

The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Abia state to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA), in accordance with provisions outlined in the NERC Electricity Act Abia.

This was contained in a statement released by NERC earlier today. The statement reads:

“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (“NERC” or the “Commission”) has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Abia State from the Commission to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) under the guidelines of the NERC Electricity Act Abia.

“Recall 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.

“Based on this, the Government of Abia 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 Abia State. The transfer Order by NERC has the following provisions: – Direct Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to incorporate a subsidiary (EEDC SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Abia State from EEDC. – EEDC shall complete the incorporation of EEDC SubCo within 60 days from 25th June 2025.

“The subcompany shall apply for and obtain licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from ASERA, among other directives. All transfers envisaged by this order shall be completed by December 24, 2025.” it concluded.

Latest State to Gain Electricity Regulatory Powers

Abia has now become the latest state to secure regulatory powers over its electricity supply since the enactment of the 2023 Electricity Act, following in the footprints of Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu, and Nasarawa states amongst others.