Amidst complaints by Nigerians over the activities of the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), plans to integrate electricity
regulatory activities in the Economic Community of West African States’
region (ECOWAS) have commenced.
Indeed, Nigerians have decried activities of the NERC, owing to the
increase of electricity tariffs earlier in the year, which a court
reversed less than two weeks ago, but ignored as electricity
distribution companies declare their intention to appeal the judgment
from the Lagos court.
It is not clear what advantage integration in the West African region
will achieve for electricity consumers in the country, but consumers
are optimistic the move will favour them.
Under the plan to integrate the sub-continent, there is a directive for the gradual establishment of the ECOWAS regional power market through the harmonisation of national electricity markets, according to a publication from the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).The plan also provides for a regional market design and market phases, open access to the regional transmission network and access by eligible customers.
According to the ECOWAS body, the Chairman of the ERERA, Professor
Honoré Bogler, visited, along with four others the headquarters of the
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission PURC) in Accra, Ghana to exchange
views on improving the electricity regulatory environment in West
Africa.
ERERA’s delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of the
PURC, Samuel Sarpong, who reiterated the PURC’s willingness and
readiness to collaborate with ERERA, especially in view of the launch of
the regional power market towards the end of the year.
Both Professor Bogler and Sarpong agreed to hold regular meetings
between the two organizations in order to help harmonize electricity
regulatory practices across ECOWAS member states.The visit was part of
Professor Bogler’s meet-the-stakeholders tour meant to strengthen
relations between the institution and its key partners.
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