The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially transferred regulatory control of the electricity market in Plateau State to the Plateau State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC). This move aligns with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended).
The transfer means that Plateau State will now have full control over electricity supply and distribution within its borders, making it the latest state to regulate its intrastate electricity market.
Why the Transfer Happened
The Electricity Act 2023 allows states to establish their own regulatory bodies and oversee electricity supply within their boundaries. However, to do this, a state must formally notify NERC and meet specific legal conditions before regulatory oversight can be transferred.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, NERC confirmed that Plateau State had fulfilled all requirements.
“The Government of Plateau State has complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, and has duly notified NERC and requested for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in Plateau State,” NERC stated.
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Jos Electricity Distribution Plc to Set Up Subsidiary
As part of the transition process, NERC has directed Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) to create a subsidiary, known as JED SubCo, which will take over electricity supply and distribution within Plateau State.
“JED shall complete the incorporation of JED SubCo within 60 days from 12th March 2025. The sub-company shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from NSERC, among other directives,” NERC stated.
The commission further explained that all transfers related to the order must be completed by 12th September 2025.
Plateau Joins Other States with Independent Electricity Markets
With this development, Plateau State has joined a growing list of states that have taken charge of their electricity markets. These include Lagos, Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Niger, Edo, and Oyo.
This decentralization is expected to improve electricity supply by allowing states to develop their own power infrastructure and address local challenges without relying solely on federal authorities.
Industry experts believe that giving states control over their electricity supply could lead to better service delivery and efficiency. However, they also caution that states must be prepared to manage the sector effectively and attract investment to expand power generation and distribution networks.