Enugu residents have been plunged into blackout following a deepening power struggle between two electricity firms: Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL).
The trouble started after the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) issued a fresh tariff order.
The directive slashed the rate for Band A customers from ₦209.50/kWh to ₦160.40/kWh. It took effect from Friday, August 1.
MEDL complied immediately. But EEDC, which supplies power to MEDL, refused to implement it.
According to MEDL, the decision caused a sharp drop in its energy allocation—now reduced by 50%. The ripple effect: homes and businesses in parts of Enugu have remained without power for days.
EEDC Says Tariff Slash Means ₦1 Billion Monthly Loss
“The order reduced the tariff for Band A customers from ₦209.50/kWh to ₦160.40/kWh,” MEDL said in a statement.
“Upon receipt of the tariff order, MEDL promptly updated EEDC (our energy supplier).”
EEDC rejected the new rate after assessing its impact. The company reportedly concluded that it would incur a loss of over ₦1 billion every month if it complied.
“This makes it impossible for EEDC to meet her obligations to the market,” the MEDL statement added.
To cushion the potential loss, EEDC slashed MEDL’s power supply by half.
The company described the decision as a “difficult” one, saying it was aimed at preventing financial ruin.
Customers Left in the Dark, Talks Ongoing
MEDL, which operates under EEDC, doesn’t get electricity directly from the national grid.
“We rely solely on EEDC, which holds the vesting contract agreement with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET),” it explained.
The company admitted that the disruption in electricity supply over the past four days is directly linked to the cut in allocation from EEDC.
It also said it regrets the delay in informing the public, blaming it on the “short notice with which we received full details of the development.”
Discussions are ongoing with NERC, EERC, EEDC, NBET, and others to resolve the deadlock.
“We are hopeful that a resolution will be reached within the next 48 hours or soon thereafter,” MEDL stated.
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