Unpaid Electricity Bills: Togo, Benin Contribute to Nigeria’s $14.19 Million Shortfall

According to a Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission report, four international bilateral electricity customers served by the market operator have not paid $14.19 million in invoices issued for services rendered in the first quarter of 2024.
According to NERC’s report for the first quarter of 2024, the overseas customers include PARAS-SBEE, Transcorp – Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE), Mainstream – Nigeria Electrical Society (NIGELEC) and Nigeria Electricity Company, Odukpani – Compagnie Energie Electriques du Togo (CEET), who owed $3.15million, $4.46 million, $1.21 million and $5.36 million respectively.
The report also showed that Ajaokuta Steel Co.Ltd and the host community (special customer) have defaulted on payment of invoices received in the first quarter/2024 with a total of ₦1.27 billion (NBET) and ₦0.09 billion (MO) unpaid.
“This continues a longstanding trend of non-payment by this customer and the Commission has communicated the need for intervention on this issue to the relevant FGN authorities. A continuation of the non-payment may trigger total disconnection from the grid,” NERC said in the report.

Similarly, none of the country’s bilateral customers have paid the bills issued by MO for services rendered in Q1 2024 totaling ₦1.86 billion.
The total revenue of all DisCos during this period was ₦291.62 billion out of ₦368.65 billion billed to customers.
Moreover, the total amount of energy purchased by all DisCos was 7,171.93 GWh and 5,769.52 GWh billed to end consumers, representing an overall billing efficiency of 80.45 percent.
Ikeja DisCo recorded the highest revenue during the period (57.88 billion naira), followed by Eko DisCo with 48.74 billion naira.DisCos had the lowest turnover at 5.46 billion naira. Of the total revenue for the period, Abuja Disco earned 48.6 billion naira, Ibadan Disco earned 30.35 billion naira, Benin Disco earned 22.46 billion naira, Enugu Disco earned 21.24 billion naira and Port Harcourt Disco earned 20.39 billion naira. Other Revenue: Kano Disco earned 13.62 billion naira, Jos Disco earned 13.29 billion naira and Kaduna Disco earned 9.6 billion naira.

The total ATC&C losses recorded by all 11 DISCOs during this period was 36.36%, of which 19.55% were technical and commercial losses and 20.83% were recovery losses.
“The aggregate ATC&C loss of 36.36 percent recorded in 2024/Q1 is 8.86pp higher than the allowed aggregate efficient loss target (27.50 percent) applied in the computation of the tariffs in the MYTO.
Total Technical, Commercial, and Recovery Losses (ATC&C) is the sum of billing losses (technical losses and commercial losses) incurred by DisCos due to the inability to bill for 100% of the energy supplied to customers and recovery losses arising from billing for 100% of the energy supplied to customers. DisCos are unable to recover 100% of the bills issued to their customers.
“This means that cumulatively, DisCos recorded losses that are 8.86pp higher than what was allowed to be recovered from the customers – these inefficient losses that are not recoverable from customers will adversely affect DisCos’ profitability.

“All the DisCos recorded decreases in ATC&C loss in 2024/Q1 compared to 2023/Q4 with the highest decreases recorded by Kaduna (-12.97pp) and Benin (-9.35) during the period. Ikeja DisCo outperformed its allowed ATC&C in 2024/Q1 by achieving an actual ATC&C of 15.81% which is lower than the set target of 18.73%.

“This means that during the quarter, Ikeja DisCo was able to earn 100% of its revenue requirement for the period which should allow it to cover all market obligations as well as operational costs. It is worth noting that Ikeja DisCo has the lowest ATC&C target amongst all the DisCos, therefore outperforming this low target is a commendable
achievement.
“The other DisCos did not achieve their target ATC&C in 2024/Q1 with the widest variance (target – actual) being recorded by Kaduna (-34.96pp), Kano (-27.73pp) and os (-21.04pp),” it said.
The Commission explained that the DISCOs’ inability to meet their allowable loss targets meant they would not be able to meet turnover requirements, putting their long-term financial position at risk. The company added that it is working with all DISCOs to take remedial measures through customer counting and enhanced revenue assurance to improve ATC&C losses.