The Federal Government has announced plans to create dedicated energy zones in major commercial and industrial centres as part of efforts to provide round-the-clock electricity to areas with high power demand.
The plan was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Adeola Labzy, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
According to the statement, the proposal emerged from a strategic meeting between the minister and executives of selected electricity distribution companies, as the government seeks to improve the reliability of electricity supply across the country.
The proposed zones will cover three major corridors: the Lagos axis, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Enugu-Port Harcourt axis.
Tegbe said the initiative would focus on addressing challenges across the electricity value chain, noting that the sector’s problems extend beyond generation and transmission to the ability of distribution companies to take up and effectively deliver available power to consumers.
He explained that the energy zones would help bridge the distribution gap, increase electricity consumption in commercial and industrial areas and improve the revenue and collection performance of DisCos.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s intention to expand infrastructure in areas with strong electricity demand, saying power supply must grow alongside the needs of an expanding economy.
The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to use reliable electricity as a driver of industrialisation, economic growth and job creation.
Representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Sahara Energy Group were also in attendance at the meeting.
