Home Business & Economy NERC grants operating licenses to seven companies
NERC grants operating licenses to seven companies
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) has presented operating licenses to seven electricity generating companies in the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to facilitate its operations.
Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi while presenting the licenses to the operators recently in Abuja said it is in line with Global trend that separated power generation in three components namely; generation, transmission and distribution.
Amadi said, the move was in the best interest of Nigerians, as the commission is working along federal government reforms to position the power sector for more efficient competitive and private sector driven industry. He also advised the companies to adhere to the terms and conditions attached to the license.
His word: "May I seize this opportunity to remind you that the grant of license entails compliance with the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005".
Receiving the licenses on behalf of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. Jones Aoloku thanked NERC for granting the company the licenses for operation adding that, the seven licensed companies had already started operations.
According to him "These seven licenses are complete licensing of all ten NIPP power stations of which six have been synchronized to the grid already, all ten are in advanced stages".
Also speaking at the presentation ceremony, the commissioner in-charge of Evaluation Committee, Dr. Steven Andezenge said the seven licensed companies have met the terms as required by law.
"The evaluation Committee conducted legal, financial and technical evaluation of the licence applications, and conducted that the applicants had complied with the requirements for grant of a generation licence", he said.
Ambassador Godknows Igali who represented the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo said NERC as a Regulatory body has been up and doing to ensure steady power supply in the country.
While pleading with Nigerians to be patient with the Federal government, Igali noted that by the end of 2013 there will be tremendous improvement in the power generations.
The Independent Power Association of Nigeria (IPAN) chairman, Professor Jerry Gana also expressed gratitude to NERC for granting the licenses, saying Nigeria is now set for a new era in power generation.
The issuance of electricity licenses marks the beginning of a new power generating business in Nigeria.
The seven licensed companies are: Benin Generation Company limited with generating capacity of 450MW at Ihovbor, Edo state, Omotosho Generation Company limited with 500MW at Omotosho, Ondo State, Omoku Generation Company Limited with 250MW at Omoku, Rivers state.
Others includes; Gbarain generation company with 225MW at Gbarain, Bayelesa state, alabar generation company limited with 561MW at Calabar, Cross River State, Geregu generation company with 434MW at Kogi state and Egema generation company limited with 338MW at Imo state.
All total generating capacity sum up to 2,758MW.
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Ezema June 13, 2013 at 3:05 pm
We want 2 see d dividend of their operation! Hoping our expectations are nt dashed 2 d ground.
Kainebi June 13, 2013 at 3:12 pm
We re waiting patiently 4 d end of 2013 to see d manifestation of a new dawn in d power sector of our economy.
Juliana June 13, 2013 at 3:14 pm
A positive stride towards power generation, kudos!