AEDC to source power from NNPC’s 350MW plant to boost Abuja supply

2026-02-26 - 19:08

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced plans to enter a bilateral power supply agreement with NNPC Limited to enhance electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Under the proposed arrangement, AEDC will receive power from NNPC’s 350-megawatt plant in Gwagwalada, slated for completion before the end of the first quarter of 2027. Acting Managing Director of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, speaking in Abuja on Thursday, said the company is exploring multiple avenues to improve electricity supply across Abuja and other areas within its franchise. He assured that the new NNPC plant, once operational, would contribute to more stable and reliable power distribution. “We are not where we need to be yet in terms of service delivery,” Okwuokenye said, noting that energy received and distributed by the company has increased by nearly 15 percent over the past year. Accompanied by AEDC’s Chief Operating Officer, Blessing Ogbe, and Chief Technical Officer, Godfrey Aba, Okwuokenye highlighted ongoing investments in network reinforcement, including construction of new feeders and injection substations to improve power quality and reduce outages in critical areas. Customers in targeted locations are expected to experience 18–20 hours of electricity daily starting mid-March, as new infrastructure comes online. The company is also creating alternative supply routes and improving system flexibility to ensure continuity during grid disturbances. To reduce dependence on the national grid, AEDC is developing embedded generation projects, including three 10-megawatt solar plants in key FCT load centres, with provisions for future expansion. The company is also promoting mini-grid and integrated solar solutions for underserved clusters, allowing private investors to connect directly to the distribution network. Okwuokenye further revealed a franchise scheme enabling private operators to invest in network upgrades in difficult-to-manage areas in exchange for a share of revenue. The initiative is intended to accelerate service improvements without overstretching the utility’s finances. As part of efforts to improve billing transparency, AEDC has intensified its metering programme under the Meter Asset Fund, deploying around 70,000 meters between last year and early 2026. The move has transitioned customers from estimated to actual billing, reducing commercial losses and boosting customer confidence. The Acting MD noted that AEDC is now meeting 100 percent of its market payment obligations, improving liquidity across the electricity value chain and supporting higher energy allocation to its network. Okwuokenye identified energy theft, meter bypass, and non-payment as key challenges affecting supply reliability. He urged customers to pay bills promptly and report illegal connections, stressing that reducing system losses and increasing energy volumes are critical for reliable and affordable electricity. He assured residents that while power sector projects take time to fully deliver, AEDC’s long-term plan aims to significantly improve electricity supply in Abuja and position the company as a leading utility in West Africa.