By Ayomide Otitoju
Some electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have begun cutting power supply to customers following gas constraints affecting power generation across the country.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) on Tuesday notified customers in the South-East of a drop in electricity supply, attributing the situation to low system frequency caused by gas shortages impacting generation companies.
In a statement issued by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, EEDC said the development had compelled the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to embark on load shedding of available energy.
According to the company, the situation has reduced energy allocation to EEDC and lowered daily service levels to customers served by its subsidiary companies—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra and EastLand.
“The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc wishes to inform electricity customers across the South-East region that the recent drop in power supply availability is due to low system frequency occasioned by gas constraints affecting the generation companies. This has necessitated the load shedding of available energy by the Transmission Company of Nigeria,” the statement said.
EEDC added that efforts were ongoing by key stakeholders in the electricity supply industry to resolve the challenge and restore normal power distribution, while apologising to customers for the inconvenience.
A similar notice was issued by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), which also attributed power outages across its franchise areas to poor electricity generation and allocation.
“Kindly be informed that the current load shedding being experienced in all our franchise areas is a result of poor generation and allocation from the generation company and NCC,” PHED said, appealing to customers for patience as efforts continue to improve power supply.
Both DisCos expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and assured customers that steps were being taken to address the situation.
