-1730918068732-799267654.jpeg&w=1920&q=75)
- DisCos have increased the price of single-phase and three-phase metres twice in four months
- New prices vary across DisCos and are determined by vendor and metre model
- The price increase follows the deregulation of the electricity sector amid consumer complaints
Following the deregulation of the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have announced revised prices for various electricity metre models.
The new prices for single-phase and three-phase metres, which is the second increase in four months, range from approximately N117,000 to N149,800 and N206,000 to N266,000, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.
According to DisCos, the new prices took effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, raising concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.
New prices for various meter phases by DisCos
The new prices for the metres, as announced by the DisCos, are determined by factors such as meter models (single-phase or three-phase) and vendors.
For Eko DisCo, the new price for a single-phase metre ranges from N135,987.5 to N161,035, while a three-phase meter costs between N226,600 and N266,600, inclusive of value-added tax (VAT).
Ibadan DisCo announced that a single-phase metre now costs between N130,998 and N142,54, while the price of a three-phase metre ranges from N226,556.25 to N232,008.04.
The new prices for metres as announced by Abuja DisCos for a single-phase meter cost between N123,130.53 and N147,812.5, while a three-phase metre costs between N206,345.65 and N236,500.
Kano Electricity’s single-phase metre costs between N127,925 and N129,999.75, while a three-phase metre costs between N223,793 and N235,425.
The new price for Kaduna DisCo’s single-phase metre ranges from N131,150 to N142,548.94, while a three-phase metre costs between N220,375 and N232,008.04.
Deregulation takes effect amid electricity consumers’ complaints
The new price for metres comes on the heels of a move in April 2024 by the NERC to allow more flexibility in meter pricing for end-user customers, termed the MAP scheme, which allows meter providers to fix their prices through competitive bidding.
The NERC said the policy removes operational bottlenecks and will ensure competitiveness, improved service quality, transparency and accountability in the supply chain.
It also allows MAP permit holders to provide metering services across all Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria.
The policy comes into effect amid complaints from electricity consumers over arbitrary billing and metering costs, especially with the planned phase-out of older meter models.
Increased bill collection efficiency rate pushes DisCos’ revenue to N168.7bn in August
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria received a combined revenue of N168.7 billion in August 2024.
According to a fact sheet released by the NERC for August 2024, DisCos billed customers a total of N208.5 billion, while N168.7 billion was received, which represented a collection efficiency rate of 80.91 per cent.
