By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued new power licenses to Junaid Synergy Limited and 13 other companies.
This was disclosed at the second quarter of 2023, NERC issued new licenses to many entities.
The companies are Junaid Synergy Limited, Okomu Oil Palm Limited and Tower Alloys Industries Limited.
The Commission said in its Q3/2023 Electricity on Demand report that it issued two trading licenses to Electric Utility Nigeria Limited and Onction Services Limited.
NERC also granted licenses to six companies to operate captive power plants.
Captive power plants are owned and operated by an entity for exclusive use rather than commercial purposes.
NERC stated in the second quarter report of 2023, that it granted permits for three power-generating plants, which boast a combined capacity of 20.06 megawatts.
NERC granted a permit to a mini-grid developer when they want to build, operate, maintain, and, in some cases, own mini-grids with a distribution capacity surpassing 100 kilowatts and a generation capacity of up to one megawatt.
Also, the Commission issued a certificate to a mini-grid developer for more systems with a distribution capacity below 100kW.
The Commission granted 10 companies with new mini-grid licenses.
They are: Powergen Nigeria Assets Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Bagaja Renewable Limited, Kumbosto Solmenz Engineering Venture Nigeria Limited, A4&T Projects Limited in Fagbo, GVE Projects Limited in Bakin Ciyawa, GVE Projects Limited in Kwande and Everlink Telesat Network Limited.
NERC explained that Pursuant to Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act (EA) 2023 which states that “the Commission shall ensure the safety, security, reliability, and quality of service in the production and delivery of electricity to consumers”, the Nigerian lectricity Regulatory Commission (N RC) continues to monitor the technical, operational, and commercial performance of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“Through this regulatory function, the Commission oversees all licensed operators in the NESI in a bid to ensure that they provide stable, reliable, and safe electricity to all ,” NERC said on its 2023 second quarter report
It would be recalled that the Commission recently assessed distribution companies’ performance in Nigeria.