Aba power seeks 163% increase in electricity tariff
The Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE) has proposed a 163% increase in electricity tariff for its customers in Abia State from N99.90-kilowatt hour (KWh) to N263.08KWh in 2025. Daily Trust reports that APLE, which is owned by Geometric Power Group, is a ring-fenced distribution company that provides electricity to Aba metropolis, consisting of nine local […]
aba power limited electric (aple)
The Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE) has proposed a 163% increase in electricity tariff for its customers in Abia State from N99.90-kilowatt hour (KWh) to N263.08KWh in 2025.
Daily Trust reports that APLE, which is owned by Geometric Power Group, is a ring-fenced distribution company that provides electricity to Aba metropolis, consisting of nine local governments in Abia State.
The review would also lead to an increase in customers in other bands with Band A-MD1 increased to N283.09KWh from N107.50KWh and Band B-Non MD rising from N95.70KWh to N252.03KWh, among others.
The company, which applied for a tariff review from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said the tariff review is to enable it meet up with its operational cost with inflation impacting its business.
Speaking during a public hearing organised by NERC on the tariff review yesterday in Abuja, the Managing Director of APLE, Ugo Opiegbe, said its operational cost has increased astronomically since the last tariff it was granted.
He said: “When we signed the PPA with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) sometime in 2022, NERC approved a tariff of N21KWh. Today, the last invoice we got from NDPHC was N136KWh. That’s the conundrum we have found ourselves in. That’s the major reason why we are here, pleading for NERC’s approval for this.
“The macroeconomic developments in the country have made it difficult for APLE to continue to operate under the current tariff regime. There are some dollar backed projects we are working on and which will be difficult to realise if we continue operating under the current tariff regime.”
Reacting to the request, the Vice Chairman of NERC, Musiliu Oseni said the commission would look critically at the parameters set by the company to arrive at the cost it proposed to ensure customers are not exploited.