The Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc recently addressed the ongoing power outage in its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti. Chief Technical Officer, Jonathan Lawani, explained during a media briefing that the power shortage was a result of low power generation by the generating companies (Gencos).

Lawani highlighted the interconnected issues within the power sector, emphasizing that Nigeria heavily relies on gas for power generation. However, suppliers have halted gas supply to Gencos due to unpaid bills, creating a domino effect of financial disputes between various stakeholders.

In addition to the payment challenges, Lawani pointed out the prevalence of energy theft and vandalism in the BEDC network. He revealed that a significant number of meters are tampered with, leading to revenue losses that hinder the company’s ability to purchase energy for distribution.

To address these issues, BEDC is collaborating with state governments to implement regulations that combat energy theft and vandalism. Lawani also mentioned the efforts of the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, in resolving the low generation problem. In the meantime, BEDC has implemented load shedding to manage the limited power supply effectively.

Furthermore, BEDC has completed a network upgrade, expanding its capacity to accommodate more power once generation improves. The company now boasts over 75 33KVA voltage lines and 3,022 11KVA feeders, providing service to thousands of customers in the region.

As the power sector navigates these challenges, Lawani emphasized the importance of customer cooperation in paying for electricity consumed. By working together, stakeholders can contribute to improving power supply and enhancing operational efficiency in the region.