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Electricity Blackouts Cost Northern Discos ₦74bn In Three Months

Published

1 month ago

Nov 24, 2024.

Electricity distribution companies in northern Nigeria recorded losses of approximately N74bn between July and September 2024, amid persistent blackouts and national grid collapses, according to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

In early November, the country experienced its 10th national grid collapse of the year, with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirming the incident.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah stated, “The national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm on November 5, 2024, caused by a series of line and generator trippings.” This followed three separate grid collapses in October, leaving much of the country in darkness.

Northern Nigeria has been particularly affected by power outages due to vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, a critical supply line for the region. This disruption resulted in total blackouts across 17 states last month, including Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue.

The electricity distribution companies (Discos) operating in the North—Kano, Abuja, Yola, Kaduna, and Jos—reported significant financial losses during this period. Over three months, the Discos issued electricity bills worth N209bn but collected only N135.6bn, reflecting a steep decline in revenue.

Electricity Northern Discos

In July, losses stood at N19.7bn, as the Discos collected N46.4bn out of N66.17bn billed. In August, losses rose to N22.69bn, with collections dropping to N46.92bn out of N69.61bn. By September, losses peaked at N31.22bn, with collections falling to N42.31bn out of N73.61bn billed.

Kano Disco emerged as the worst hit, losing N11.88bn in September after collecting just N3.07bn out of N14.95bn billed. Similar losses were recorded by Abuja (N6.49bn), Yola (N2.56bn), Kaduna (N3.8bn), and Jos (N6.57bn) in the same month.

The Federal Government attributed the region’s persistent power challenges to attacks on electricity infrastructure, exacerbating the financial strain on Discos and further destabilizing power supply across northern Nigeria.