The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Akwa Ibom State to the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC).
The transfer was carried out in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023, as amended.
Under the Electricity Act 2023, NERC retains regulatory oversight of inter-state and international electricity generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.
The Act also requires any state seeking to establish and regulate an intrastate electricity market to formally notify NERC and request the transfer of regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the state regulator.
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Under the transfer order, NERC directed Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHEDC) to incorporate a subsidiary, PHEDC SubCo, which will assume responsibility for intrastate electricity supply and distribution in Akwa Ibom State.
PHEDC is required to complete the incorporation of PHEDC SubCo within 60 days from August 18, 2026.
The subsidiary will also be required to obtain a licence from AKSERC to operate the intrastate electricity supply and distribution business.
NERC said all transfers envisaged under the order must be completed by February 17, 2027.
The development forms part of the ongoing implementation of Nigeria’s decentralised electricity market framework, which gives states greater regulatory responsibility over electricity activities within their jurisdictions.
