By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government has approved 14 electricity licences and permits covering off-grid generation, embedded generation, independent distribution, metering services, and interconnected mini-grid operations as part of efforts to strengthen power supply across the state.
The approvals were issued by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission during its maiden stakeholder engagement held earlier this week.
According to the Commission, the licensing exercise is aimed at developing a structured electricity market capable of attracting investment and improving electricity reliability in Lagos.
Among the approved projects, Axxela Limited secured approval for a 5.8MW off-grid generation project at Cadbury Nigeria Plc in Agidingbi.
Daybreak Power Solutions Limited also received multiple off-grid generation licences for facilities belonging to Seven-Up, Nigerian Breweries, NBC, Crown Flour Mill, Nigerdock, and Promasidor.
In addition, Isolo Power Gen Limited was granted approval for a 9MW embedded generation project along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Isolo, while Isolo Power Supply Limited received a licence to operate as an Independent Electricity Distribution Network operator.
Other approvals were issued to New Hampshire Capital, GossLink Engineering, and Enaro Energy Mini-Grid Limited for metering and mini-grid operations.
LASERC described the approvals as a major regulatory milestone under Lagos State’s evolving intrastate electricity market framework, which is designed to expand private sector participation and improve electricity access across industrial and residential communities.
The Commission said the framework aligns with the state’s broader strategy to decentralise electricity supply through embedded generation, mini-grids, and independent distribution systems in order to reduce pressure on the national grid.
According to LASERC, the state aims to achieve 97.5 per cent electricity availability by 2030 while reducing market losses to below 10 per cent through a decentralised and performance-driven electricity system.
The Commission disclosed that reforms scheduled to begin in 2026 include the rollout of two to three 24-hour electricity franchise zones by October 2026 as pilot districts for uninterrupted power supply.
It also plans to introduce Grid Interface Guidelines and commence a 100 per cent metering initiative by July 2026, while consumer complaint centres will open in phases beginning from Amuwo Odofin in August 2026, followed by Ikorodu and Epe in September.
LASERC further announced that the Electric Eye of Lagos (EEL) Programme, an AI-enabled metering system, will be finalised by August 2026, with pilot deployment scheduled for October 2026.
The Commission said draft electricity market rules would be released in October 2026 and finalised by December, alongside the introduction of regulatory sandbox guidelines to encourage innovation and private sector investment in the electricity sector.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu constituted LASERC in 2024 after signing the Lagos Electricity Bill into law, paving the way for the establishment of the state’s independent electricity market framework.
