NERC to review MAP scheme as prepaid meter supply suffers setback

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is set to review the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme as the deployment of prepaid meters to Nigerian homes suffers a setback.

In 2018, the NERC issued the MAP regulation as a regulatory initiative to fast track the closure of the metering gap and eliminate estimated billing practices, attract private investment in the provision of metering services, enhance revenue assurance in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and promote local meter manufacturing in Nigeria.

In a consultation paper issued on Wednesday, in Abuja, and signed by Sanusi Garba, NERC chairman, the regulator said only 611,231 meters have been deployed under the MAP scheme as of January 31, adding that more than half of registered electricity customers in the country remain unmetered.

He said the purpose of the review is to look at the various options to fast track the closure of the metering gap within the implementation framework of the MAP regulations.

“In order to ensure transparency in the meter roll-out as provided for in the MAP regulations, deployment of meters could not commence until August 2019 following the conclusion of competitive procurement by DisCos which was monitored by the Commission,” the NERC said.

“A total of 611,231 meters have been deployed as of 31st January, 2021 under the MAP initiative since its full operation despite the COVID –19 pandemic and other extraneous factors. The challenge of closing the metering gap in NESI still persists as more than half of the registered electricity customers remain unmetered.

“The purpose of this Consultation Paper is to review the various options to fast track the closure of the metering gap within the implementation framework of the MAP Regulations and the NMMP and consider the merits and demerits of each option.

“Proposed options for metering implementation going forward is to allow the implementation of both the NMMP and MAP metering frameworks to run concurrently; to continue with the current MAP framework with meters procured under the NMMP supplied only through MAPs (by being off-takers from the local manufacturers/assemblers); and to wind down the MAP framework and allow the DisCos to procure meters directly from local manufacturers/assemblers (or as procured by the WB), and enter into new contracts for the installation and maintenance of such meters.

“The DisCos shall continue to be accountable for metering as this remains a core responsibility of utilities and a contractual obligation in their Performance Agreements with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (“BPE”).”

Besides providing a transparent and accurate measurement for energy consumed by the customer, the prepaid meters also ensure energy accounting and revenue protection for the DisCos. It further affords the customer adequate information to control and manage their consumption thereby engendering satisfaction and confidence.