Delta State has taken a significant step towards transforming its electricity sector by adopting a decentralised mini-grid model and establishing new regulatory bodies to drive a sustainable power market.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen disclosed this during a post-Executive Council (EXCO) press briefing on Tuesday in Asaba.
He said that the initiative aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which prioritised infrastructure and improved service delivery across the state.
The commissioner noted that the state government had adopted a mini-grid model that allows multiple independent operators to provide end-to-end electricity services in various locations across the state.
Ekedayen said that the approach differs from the conventional centralised grid, which often leaves entire regions in darkness when there is a failure at a single point in the system.
”With the mini-grid approach, if an outage occurs in one part of the state, it won’t affect other areas,” he said.
He recalled that the State House of Assembly had earlier domesticated the Federal Government’s 2023 Electricity Act, thus providing the legislative foundation for the state to chart its own course in electricity generation, distribution, and regulation.
He noted that the model also allowed service providers to propose energy solutions based on the most viable energy mix for their area.
He noted that while conventional gas-powered sources remained an option, operators could also explore renewable energy alternatives such as solar and hydro power.
Ekedayen emphasised that the entire electricity reform would be privately funded, with the state government providing only the regulatory framework and the enabling environment.
He said: “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.”
To support this framework, the EXCO approved the establishment of the Delta State Electricity Commission, which would serve as the central regulatory authority.
According to him, the commission will be responsible for issuing licences, monitoring compliance, and mediating between operators and consumers.
Also approved was the establishment of a Rural Electricity Agency, which would 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
He said that operator who would be able to track supply data, enforce service standards, and ensure that minimum electricity hours were delivered to homes and businesses.
Ekedayen also disclosed announced that a consultant would also be appointed to help midwife the electricity transition process,by providing expert guidance and assisting in the creation of a robust implementation roadmap.
He acknowledged that while electricity market reform was still 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,” he said.
He stressed; “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.”
The commissioner added 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 EXCO approvals as the formal birth of the 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 concluded.
