As part of continued efforts to ensure its customers enjoy improved and reliable power distribution within its network, Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) has concluded plans to acquire up to 474MW of Power directly into its network in an unprecedented embedded power generation initiative which will more than double its current allocation from the national grid.
The Embedded Generation Program involves the construction of smaller sized plants in generating electricity that is connected to and evacuated through the distribution network infrastructure.
The proximity of these smaller sized plants to load centres within various communities will further assist EKEDP in alleviating some of the current challenges being experienced by unclogging its transmission grid of bottlenecks amongst other notable issues.
The program which has been submitted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for approval will go a long way in alleviating the shortage of power supply from the grid which has been rather unstable and epileptic in recent times.
To this intent, EKEDP extended invitation bids to budding power generating companies and in return, received over 50 letters of interest.
In what industry watchers have acknowledged to be a transparent process, all the bids received were evaluated for both technical and commercial competence and thereafter, 14 companies were adjudged as adequate in possessing the technical and commercial capacity to participate in the first phase of EKEDP’s embedded generation program.
Following the receipt of NERC approval on the submissions tendered, EKEDP will then invite approved companies for final negotiations leading to the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with them.
Projects alongside the Embedded Power Generation program are expected be completed within the next 18-24 months bringing about a most welcome relief to customers who have had to endure long periods of erratic power supply from the grid.
Speaking on bringing relief to its valued customers, Oladele Amoda, Managing Director Eko Electricity Distribution Plc expressed that “with the active support of NERC for our proactive measure, our customers can indeed expect to enjoy the benefits of the privatisation of the power sector.”
Amoda continued that “apart from the embedded generation plan, EKEDP is also engaged in bilateral negotiations to purchase more power into our network which will bring relief to our consumers in the short term.”
In improving the distribution of new inflow and reliable power to the benefit of all its customers, the distribution company advised its customers to be frugal in their consumption of power so as to avoid unnecessary high energy bills.
The distribution company also urges its customers to play their part in the emerging power equation by settling their bills promptly and reporting any power theft either witnessed through illegal connections or through the vandalism of EKEDP equipment.
Olusola Bello
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