By Peace Udugba
The Federal Government has ruled out any immediate increase in electricity tariffs, saying its priority is to improve service delivery, expand access to reliable power and accelerate universal metering across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, stated this while speaking with journalists after commissioning a 3MW captive solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.
Tegbe said improving electricity supply and achieving universal metering remained key priorities of the Ministry, stressing that the government was also committed to protecting vulnerable consumers.
“There are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs. Our goal is to build a commercially viable power sector while protecting vulnerable consumers,” the minister said.
The newly commissioned solar hybrid project is expected to provide stable and cleaner electricity to the university community of about 58,726 students, while reducing the institution’s dependence on diesel-powered generators.
Developed by the Rural Electrification Agency under Phase II of the Energising Education Programme, the project comprises a 3.3MWp solar array, 3MW AC output and a 2MWh battery storage system.
The system is also supported by dedicated grid supply outside the solar generation period to ensure continuity of electricity supply.
The project includes the installation of 388 solar-powered streetlights across the campus, aimed at improving visibility and security and creating a safer environment for students and staff after dark.
The minister said the commissioning demonstrated the Federal Government’s broader commitment to improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply while implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability of the power sector.
He said the administration was working to address the structural and financial challenges confronting the electricity sector while ensuring that improvements in supply were accompanied by greater efficiency and accountability across the value chain.
According to Tegbe, universal metering remains a major priority because it will promote accurate billing, improve transparency and ensure that consumers are charged based on measured electricity consumption.
The clarification comes amid renewed concerns over possible changes to electricity tariffs following discussions about the removal of electricity subsidies.
The minister, however, stressed that any tariff increase was not an immediate consideration, saying the government was currently focused on improving service delivery, expanding metering and restoring consumer confidence.
While the government continues to consider reforms to the electricity subsidy framework as part of efforts to address the sector’s longstanding financial challenges, Tegbe said the needs of vulnerable consumers would remain an important consideration.
The Federal Government said its broader objective is to establish a financially sustainable and investment-friendly electricity market capable of supporting infrastructure development, improving generation and distribution, and delivering more reliable power to households, businesses and public institutions.
For now, the government has maintained that there will be no immediate electricity tariff increase as it focuses on improving service delivery, expanding metering and building a more sustainable power sector.
