Mainpower Electricity
In a major boost for electricity consumers in Enugu State, MainPower Distribution Company has officially reduced its electricity tariff, easing the financial burden on households and businesses. The new approved rate now stands at ₦172 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down from ₦209/kWh, marking a significant drop in energy costs across the state.
This adjustment follows a directive by the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), the newly established state-level agency overseeing power distribution in the state, in line with Enugu’s adoption of the national power sector reform initiative.
An Enugub resident said:
“I can confirm that the price reduction by EERC has come into effect,” said Chekwube Aniugo, a user.
“Before now, recharge of ₦50,000 gave me only 239.23 units. Now, it gave me 290.6977 units after my recharge tonight.”
While appreciating the adjustment, Aniugo noted that the current price is still above the ₦160 benchmark previously announced.
“Though the amount isn’t up to the ₦160 directed by EERC, the ₦172 per kWh is a great departure from where we used to be,” he added. The reduction was contained in the Commission’s Order No. EERC/2025/003, titled “Tariff Order for MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited 2025”, issued over the weekend. The order applies to MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited, the successor company to the former Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
According to EERC, the new pricing regime is part of its mandate under the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, which empowers the state to regulate power generation, transmission, and distribution within its territory, following the 2023 constitutional amendment and the Electricity Act 2023.
EERC Chairman, Chijioke Okonkwo, explained the rationale behind the tariff reduction:
“We reviewed their entire costs, using our Tariff Methodology Regulations 2024 and the supporting Distribution Tariff Model, to get an average price of ₦94.
“The price is low due to some reasons, including the fact that the Federal Government is subsidising electricity generation cost which comes to about ₦45 out of the actual cost of ₦112 for Enugu State. That was how we came about the average tariff of ₦94 as cost-reflective tariff at our level as a subnational electricity market.”
Okonkwo further clarified:
“The actual PPA cost of any power purchase made by MainPower outside the one subsidized by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) will trigger automatic tariff adjustment to accommodate the PPA price because it will not be subsidized by the Federal Government.”Nigerian custom jewelry
He also provided a breakdown of the new band structure:
“Band A will be paying ₦160 while other Bands B, C, D, and E are frozen. Band A at ₦160 will help MainPower manage the rate shock, and if the subsidy is removed, the savings will assist them in stabilising the tariff over a defined period of time. Nevertheless, at all times, the tariff will be cost-reflective and will not require any state subsidy.”
However, the ₦160 Band A tariff may not be sustainable in the absence of the Federal Government subsidy:
“But until then, it is only right that Ndi Enugu — Band A customers — enjoy the reduced tariff effective August 1, 2025,” Okonkwo said.
The Commission also emphasized strict monitoring and accountability from MainPower to ensure compliance with service standards:
“MainPower is obliged to publish daily on its website a rolling seven-day average daily hours of supply on each Band A feeder no later than 9 a.m. of the next day.
“Where MainPower fails to deliver on the committed level of service on a Band A feeder for two consecutive days, MainPower shall report this to the Commission within 24 hours.
Where MainPower fails to meet the committed service level to a Band A feeder for seven consecutive days, the feeder shall be automatically downgraded to the recorded level of supply.”
Reiterating its long-term goal, the Commission stated: “The Commission is committed to working with industry developers, investors, customers, and stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and solutions to provide access and improve electricity services to all the citizens of the state, as this is a win for the establishment.”
With this tariff reduction and oversight structure in place, Enugu State strengthens its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s subnational power sector reforms, with the aim of delivering better value, transparency, and service to its electricity consumers.
