The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced the approval of N21 billion for 11 electricity Distribution Companies to provide meters for end-use customers.
In a statement issued on Friday, the commission stated emphatically that the DisCos would be required to buy and install the meters for customers – free of charge…under the Meter Acquisition Fund programme
The order which took effect from the 13th of June 2024 is said to be amendable or revokable by subsequent orders issued by the commission.
The N.E.R.C had introduced the Meter Asset Provider {“MAP”) Regulations in 2018 and subsequently, the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering
The Regulations provided several options for metering end-use customers but the interventions, though significant, have not resulted in the closure of the national metering gap which currently stands in excess of seven million customers.
The inability of distribution companies to raise financing in the form of debt or additional equity was identified as the major constraint in the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other capital investments.
The Meter Acquisition Fund scheme was consequently developed and approved by the Commission, primarily to address the challenges inhibiting the deployment of end-use meters