By Ifeanyi Olannye
Delta Government on Tuesday says it will adopt a decentralised mini-grid model electricity generations, distribution, and regulation to transform its electricity sector.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this during a post-Executive Council meeting press briefing in Asaba.
Ekedayen described the decision as a bold step toward transforming its electricity sector and the establishment of new regulatory bodies to drive a sustainable power market.
He said the initiative aligned with Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure and improved service delivery across the state.
He recalled that the State House of Assembly had earlier domesticated the Federal Government’s 2023 Electricity Act, which provided the legislative foundation for the state to chart its own course in electricity generation, distribution, and regulation.
According to him, with the passage of that law, we now have a clear pathway toward providing reliable and steady electricity supply to the people of Delta at competitive prices.
“This latest council approval marks another major milestone in our journey.
“The state government has adopted a mini-grid model that will allow multiple independent operators to provide end-to-end electricity services in various locations across the state.”
The commissioner explained that the approach differed significantly from the conventional centralised grid, which often left entire regions in darkness when failure is experienced at any point.
“With the mini-grid approach, if an outage occurs in one part of the state, it will not affect other areas.
“Each operator is responsible for generation, distribution, and supply within their designated zones, which enhances resilience and reliability,” he said.
He noted that the model also allowed service providers to propose energy solutions based on the most viable energy mix for their area.
According to him, while conventional gas-powered sources remain an option, operators can also explore renewable energy alternatives such as solar and hydro power.
Ekedayen, added that the entire electricity reform would be privately funded, with the state government providing only the regulatory framework and the enabling environment.
“This is a private sector-driven initiative. Our role is to set the rules, ensure fairness, and create the atmosphere for investment and innovation to thrive,” he explained.
He added that the council had approved the establishment of the Delta State Electricity Commission to support the framework and serve as the central regulatory authority.
“The Commission will be responsible for issuing licences, monitoring compliance, and mediating between operators and consumers.
“The council also approved the establishment of a Rural Electricity Agency, which will focus on delivering electricity to under-served rural communities across the state, ensuring inclusivity and equity in power distribution.
“In addition, the state has created the role of a System Operator to oversee the technical coordination of generation and supply processes, and a Market Operator who will track supply data, enforce service standards, and ensure that minimum electricity hours are delivered to homes and businesses,” he said.
Ekedayen announced that a consultant would be appointed to help midwife the electricity transition process, providing expert guidance and assisting in the creation of a robust implementation roadmap.
He acknowledged that while electricity market reform was still a new territory for many sub-national governments, Delta remained committed to getting it right.
“Only a few states in Nigeria have dared to venture this far. But we are determined to deliver not just electricity, but a system that works, one that creates jobs, supports industry, and improves the quality of life for our people,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the journey would be deliberate and methodical to avoid costly mistakes, but always with the people’s best interests at the core of every decision.
He described the latest council approvals as the formal birth of the Delta State Electricity Market and expressed optimism that the business and manufacturing sectors would welcome the initiative with enthusiasm.
“With this, we are confident that Delta is on course to becoming a model for sub-national electricity transformation in Nigeria,” he added.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
