Afrigather Energy Era Corporations (GenCos) in Nigeria have issued a stern warning to the Federal Authorities over the non-payment of over N2 trillion in excellent electrical energy money owed.
They warning that this might disrupt Nigerians’ electrical energy era sustainability.
The enchantment was made by Retired Col. Sani Bello, the Board Chairman of GenCos, in a press release launched in Abuja on Sunday.
He mentioned that the federal government’s failure to settle money owed for already generated and consumed energy is posing a significant menace to the continued operation of energy era crops throughout the nation.
Bello additional defined that this huge debt is severely impeding GenCos’ skill to satisfy their obligations to lenders, procure Operations and Upkeep (O&M) spare components, and fulfill employee-related commitments.
He mentioned, “GenCos are at the moment owed greater than two trillion naira for energy they generated, put unto the nationwide grid, and consumed by finish customers.
That is along with the greater than 1.7 trillion naira funding hole created within the latest supplementary Multi-Yr Tariff Order (MYTO) 2024 with out a designated fund to fill the hole,”
“In mild of the severity of the problems highlighted above, the GenCos are requesting that quick and expedited motion be taken to stop nationwide safety challenges which will end result from the failure of the GenCos to maintain regular era of electrical energy for Nigerians.”
Bello additionally identified that GenCos’ liquidity challenges have been worsened by insurance policies just like the fee waterfall within the Nigeria Electrical energy Provide Trade (NESI), which deprioritizes funds to them.
He mentioned GenCos hopes to obtain settlements by way of exterior help, such because the World Financial institution Poverty Discount Help Operation (PSRO).
This have been dampened resulting from different market contributors’ failure to satisfy their distribution-linked indicators (DLIs) outlined within the Energy Sector Restoration Programme (PSRP).
Bello additionally drew consideration to the difficulty of entry to international trade, as main operations and upkeep wants within the era subsector are dollarized.
He emphasised the necessity for a specialised window or steady greenback allocation for GenCos.
Bello burdened, “GenCos are of the place that there’s a want for a coordinated strategy by all stakeholders within the NESi to deal with the liquidity difficulty realistically and sustainably within the energy sector in order that Nigerians can have entry to dependable electrical energy provide.”
Authorities Response to GenCos Warning Over Unpaid Electrical energy Debt
In response to GenCos’ enchantment, the Nigerian authorities has taken a number of steps.
The Minister of Energy introduced a fee plan accredited by President Bola Tinubu, which includes quick money funds and promissory notes.
Nonetheless, GenCos is demanding a transparent and quick implementation plan.
Moreover, the federal government has arrange a committee to make sure a extra constant energy provide.
Throughout their assembly, they addressed the indebtedness to GenCos by the Nigeria Bulk Electrical energy Buying and selling Firm (NBET).
Whereas acknowledging the sector’s liquidity problem, they’re engaged on validating the debt and figuring out a good decision2.
Regardless of these actions, GenCos continues to induce the federal government for the quick implementation of fee plans to settle all excellent invoices in keeping with their Energy Buy Agreements.
