Electricity consumers in Enugu State are bearing the brunt of an escalating dispute between the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission and MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited following the controversial reduction in Band A tariff, DARE OLAWIN reports
Electricity consumers in Enugu State are facing a deepening crisis as the tariff dispute between the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission and MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited drags on. What began as a state-ordered cut in Band A tariff to ease the burden on residents has spiralled into prolonged blackouts, vending glitches, and mounting frustration, leaving homes and businesses stranded in darkness while the two sides trade blame. Consumers have lamented the prolonged blackouts, especially their effect on businesses and households.
Since August 1, when the EERC commenced implementing its new tariff order in the state, electricity consumers have been left in the dark due to a power cut by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, the parent firm of MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited. When the state regulator announced the tariff order slashing Band A power cost from N209/kWh to N160/kWh, it sparked controversy among stakeholders. Power generation companies argued that it was not within the EERC’s powers to do so. Distribution companies echoed the same sentiment, warning residents that a stable power supply could no longer be guaranteed if the commission insisted on the new tariff order. Similarly, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission told the state regulator that it could not set the cost of power it did not generate unless it was ready to fund the subsidy.
The Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria was quick to defend the EERC, stating that the tariff cut did not affect power generation or transmission but only distribution costs. FOCPEN argued that states have the power to regulate and design tariffs if such measures do not alter generation or transmission costs.
As the tariff dispute drags on without resolution, consumers in Enugu are now spending days in either total or partial darkness. As predicted by the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, electricity supply to Enugu has become more erratic. Band A customers no longer enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of stable supply, while other customers have also been affected. Metered customers are struggling to pay for electricity due to vending glitches.
After four consecutive days of blackout, MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited disclosed on August 4 that the outage was due to a significant drop in electricity supply from its parent company, EEDC, adding that it was operating on just 50 per cent of its usual energy allocation.
In a statement, MainPower said the blackout stemmed from the new tariff order recently issued by the EERC.
“MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited wishes to inform its esteemed customers in parts of Enugu State who have been experiencing power outages that the situation is due to a significant drop in energy allocation from our parent company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC. This development is a result of the recent issuance of a new Tariff Order to MainPower by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Order reduced the tariff for Band A customers from N209.50/kWh to N160.40/kWh,” the DisCo said.
MainPower explained that EEDC had calculated that implementing the tariff cut would lead to monthly losses exceeding N1bn, undermining its obligations to the market.
“Upon receipt of the Tariff Order, MEDL promptly updated EEDC (our energy supplier). After analysing the implications of the new tariff, EEDC concluded that implementing it would result in a monthly loss of over N1bn, which makes it impossible for EEDC to meet its obligations to the market. Consequently, and to mitigate these losses, EEDC made the difficult decision to reduce the volume of energy supplied to MEDL. This has unfortunately resulted in MEDL receiving only about 50 per cent of its usual energy allocation, significantly affecting our ability to serve some of our esteemed customers,” the statement partly read.
MainPower stressed that it does not receive electricity directly from the national grid but relies solely on EEDC, which holds the vesting contract agreement with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, the organisation responsible for electricity bulk trading.
In response, the EERC summoned MainPower to explain the curtailment of supply and the widespread vending problems faced by customers. The meeting, held last Thursday, followed public outrage over prolonged blackouts and difficulties in purchasing electricity units.
EERC said MainPower attributed the disruptions to “code coverage conflicts and related glitches” affecting the separation of Enugu’s electricity network from other states under EEDC’s coverage. The company reportedly assured the regulator that the problem would soon be resolved. The Commission, however, directed MainPower to formally notify customers of the vending problems and the measures being taken to address them.
On the issue of reduced supply, EERC expressed concern that MainPower opted to cut electricity instead of following due process in challenging the tariff order. The regulator reminded the company that business rules require a formal petition within 30 days of receiving an order if it disagrees with it, which would then trigger a public hearing.
The commission pledged to work with state and federal stakeholders to protect the interests of developers, service providers, and residents, ensuring that the people of Enugu benefit from the evolving subnational electricity market. It stressed that MainPower must recover only the efficient costs of doing business in Enugu plus a fair return on investment, in line with the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023.
In a release on Monday, MainPower addressed only the vending glitches, blaming them on the tariff cut, but was silent on the power cuts, suggesting that residents may continue to face prolonged darkness.
MainPower apologised to customers over the difficulties in purchasing prepaid meter tokens. The company explained that the challenge arose from a technical glitch during the implementation of the new tariff, which took effect on August 1, 2025. The process involved “ring-fencing” Enugu State from the broader distribution network covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States to allow the new tariff to apply specifically to Band A customers in Enugu.
“The Management of MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited sincerely apologises to our esteemed customers in Enugu State who have recently experienced challenges in purchasing energy tokens for their prepaid meters. This situation is due to a technical glitch encountered by our ICT team during the implementation of the new tariff approved by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission, which took effect on 1st August 2025. The process involves ring-fencing Enugu State from the broader distribution network (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States) to enable the application of the new tariff specifically for Band A customers in Enugu State,” the Disco said.
While noting progress in resolving the vending problems, MEDL advised customers to buy tokens through its EnergyPay platform using the debit card option or by visiting its cash offices. The company assured customers of its commitment to reliable service but gave no timeline for restoring the normal power supply.
Consumers lament
On social media, Enugu residents lamented their continued stay in darkness, appealing to all stakeholders for urgent intervention.
A customer, Ngene Charles, wrote, “This is almost 11 days now, and the majority of Ndi Enugu are in total darkness. What are you guys doing about it, Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC – EEDC?”
Responding, EEDC said it was working with relevant stakeholders to restore supply: “Ngene Charles, we are aware of this development and are working with relevant stakeholders to ensure it is addressed and supply restored. Do bear with us.”
Another resident, Onyinye Peace, highlighted the impact on livelihoods: “We have been without electricity for days. Please understand this is beyond inconvenience. Some people here cannot even eat because their businesses depend on electricity. What of our food? Every day without power means wasted goods and no income to feed their families. We beg you to treat this as urgent and restore power. Lives are being affected. This is very frustrating, knowing full well that petrol is not for the poor again.”
Also, Mazzi Gideon complained, “The Enugu State government reduced the Band A tariff from N209.50/kWh to N160.40/kWh; you disagreed and disconnected Bands B and C, leaving the Band A people. What did we, Band B and C customers, do? Why didn’t you touch Band A supplies? Are they more important? This is Nigeria, where everything is possible. If you really want to protest, why can’t you disconnect the whole state?”
Conclusion
In the end, the face-off between the EERC and MainPower has left Enugu residents with the brunt. Days of blackouts, difficulties in buying electricity tokens, and business disruptions have turned what should have been a relief from high tariffs into greater hardship. While the regulator insists it is protecting consumers and MainPower argues the tariff cut will cause heavy losses, neither side appears ready to compromise. Until both resolve their differences, residents will remain in darkness, struggling to keep homes and businesses running and losing faith in the promise of the state’s electricity reforms.
