By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has disclosed plans to enter into a bilateral power supply agreement with NNPC Limited to improve electricity supply to the Federal Capital Territory.

The proposed arrangement will enable AEDC to receive power from NNPC’s 350-megawatt power plant located in Gwagwalada, which is scheduled for completion before the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the Acting Managing Director of AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the company is exploring multiple options to boost electricity supply to Abuja and other areas within its franchise.

Okwuokenye assured consumers that the NNPC plant, when completed and operational, would help guarantee a more stable and reliable power supply across AEDC’s network.

He said the company is intensifying efforts to increase energy intake, strengthen network reliability and enhance customer experience, even as it acknowledged that current service levels remain below expectations.

“We are not where we need to be yet in terms of service delivery,” he said, noting however that energy received and distributed by the company rose by nearly 15 per cent in the past year.

Accompanied by AEDC’s Chief Operating Officer, Blessing Ogbe, and Chief Technical Officer, Godfrey Aba, Okwuokenye said the utility is investing in network reinforcement, including the construction of new feeders and injection substations to improve power quality and reduce outages in critical areas of Abuja.

According to him, customers in some locations will begin to experience improved supply hours from mid-March, with targeted areas expected to receive between 18 and 20 hours of electricity daily as additional infrastructure comes on stream.

He added that AEDC is also implementing operational measures to ensure continuity of supply during grid disturbances by creating alternative supply routes and improving system flexibility.

To reduce dependence on the national grid and boost local energy availability, the AEDC boss disclosed that the company is developing embedded generation projects within Abuja.

He said AEDC plans to deploy three 10-megawatt solar plants around key load centres in the FCT, with provision for expansion as demand grows.

In addition, the company is promoting mini-grid and integrated solar solutions for underserved clusters, allowing private investors to generate power and connect directly to the distribution network.

“These projects will help bridge supply gaps and ensure more stable electricity, especially in areas at the outskirts of the city,” he said.

Okwuokenye also revealed that AEDC is introducing a franchise scheme that will allow private operators to invest in network upgrades in difficult-to-manage areas in exchange for a share of revenue.

The initiative, he said, is designed to address the huge capital requirements in the distribution segment and accelerate service improvements without overburdening the utility’s finances.

As part of efforts to improve billing transparency and market liquidity, he stated that the company has intensified its metering programme under the Meter Asset Fund and related initiatives.

He disclosed that about 70,000 meters have been deployed between last year and early 2026, moving customers from estimated to actual billing, improving customer confidence and reducing commercial losses.

The Acting CEO said AEDC has also improved its financial performance and is now meeting 100 per cent of its market payment obligations, a development expected to support increased generation and higher energy allocation to its network.

He explained that improved liquidity across the electricity value chain would ultimately translate into more power availability for customers.

Okwuokenye further identified energy theft, meter bypass and non-payment as major challenges affecting supply reliability and tariff sustainability.

He urged customers to pay their bills promptly and report illegal connections, stressing that reducing system losses and increasing energy volumes are critical to achieving reliable and affordable electricity.

He assured residents that while power sector projects take time to deliver results, the company’s long-term plan is to significantly improve electricity supply across Abuja and position AEDC as one of the leading distribution utilities in West Africa.