Nigerians to pay more for electricity consumption
A sensitive topic!
Yes, it's true that the Nigerian government has announced plans to increase the cost of electricity consumption for Nigerians. Here are some details:
Why the increase?
The Nigerian government has been struggling to fund the power sector, and the current tariff is not sufficient to cover the costs of generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity. The government has been seeking ways to increase revenue to improve the power sector.
How much will electricity bills increase?
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a new tariff structure, which will lead to an increase in electricity bills for consumers. The new tariff is expected to increase electricity bills by 45% to 100% for residential consumers, depending on their consumption level.
Who will be affected?
The increase in electricity bills will affect all electricity consumers in Nigeria, including households, businesses, and industries. However, the impact will be more significant for residential consumers who consume less than 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month.
When will the increase take effect?
The new tariff is expected to take effect in June 2023, although the exact date has not been announced.
What can consumers do?
To mitigate the impact of the increase, consumers can consider the following options:
- Conserve energy: Reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and using natural light during the day.
- Adjust consumption patterns: Consider shifting non-essential activities to off-peak hours when electricity tariffs are lower.
- Invest in renewable energy: Consider installing solar panels or other renewable energy systems to reduce dependence on the grid.
- Negotiate with electricity distributors: If you're a large consumer, you may be able to negotiate a better tariff with your electricity distributor.
What's the government's plan to improve the power sector?
The Nigerian government has announced plans to invest in the power sector to improve generation, transmission, and distribution capacity. The government aims to increase power generation to 13,000 megawatts by 2025 and reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel for power generation.
While the increase in electricity bills may be challenging for some consumers, it's hoped that the additional revenue will help improve the power sector and provide a more reliable and efficient supply of electricity to Nigerians.