NERC to DisCos: Upgrade existing meters by July 31 or face sanction

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) against defaulting the July 31 deadline for meter upgrade.

According to a statement on Tuesday by NERC, the commission made this known during the second Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) stakeholders meeting for 2024.

The commission had announced that DisCos must upgrade existing meters to a new specification so that they can continue to accept meter tokens.

NERC said it will penalise DisCos that failed to complete the migration of token identifiers of standard transfer specification (STS) meters of their customers from key revision 1 to key revision 2 before July 31.

The token identifier is a secret code hidden in every energy token customers use on prepaid electricity meters, while STS is the global standard for the transfer of electricity and other utility prepayment tokens.

According to NERC, key topics discussed at the meeting included the “STS-2 Migration by the Distribution Companies (DisCos), an update on the establishment of the Independent System Operator (ISO) in the NESI, MAP Meter Refunds, and metering challenges”. 

“Of note were the DisCo presentations on the impact, challenges, opportunities and action plans for transitioning to a multi-tier market. ​The recent signing of the Electricity Act 2023 has unlocked significant opportunities for the private sector and state governments nationwide to participate more actively in the NESI,” the commission said.

Considering this, he said some states have already started to set up their own State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERCs).

“Another critical discussion centred around the progress report on the STS migration of electricity meters and its approaching deadline. Sanctions would be meted out to DisCos that fail to complete STS meter migration of their customers after the Commission’s July 31st deadline,” NERC said. 

The commission also gave an update on the Zungeru Hydro power plant, saying that due to its coming on stream, all the water that had accumulated and was overspilling is now being utilised for the good of the country.