Ikeja Electric Plc has attributed the persistent power outages in Lagos to reduced electricity allocation from the national grid, urging customers to remain patient as efforts continue to stabilise supply.
In a statement released on Friday, the distribution company apologised to its customers for the ongoing disruption, noting that several areas within its network are currently experiencing supply constraints.
“We sincerely regret the ongoing power supply challenges currently affecting some areas within our network due to reduced power allocation from the grid,” the company said.
To manage the limited supply and maintain grid stability, the company disclosed that it has implemented temporary load shedding across affected feeders.
“As part of efforts to maintain grid stability and ensure equitable distribution of available power, temporary load shedding is being implemented across affected feeders and locations,” it added.
The company also said it is working closely with relevant stakeholders in the power sector to improve electricity supply and reduce the impact on consumers.
The development comes amid months of unstable electricity supply in Lagos and other parts of the country, largely linked to a decline in power generation caused by inadequate gas supply to thermal plants.
The Lagos State Government, in response to the situation, recently signed power purchase agreements with three independent power producers to boost local electricity generation and reduce dependence on the national grid.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who witnessed the signing at Lagos House, Marina, said the agreements are aimed at improving reliability, particularly for critical infrastructure.
“Today, we witnessed the signing of agreements designed to build on existing capacity and address what has not been working,” he said.
He added that the new arrangements would ensure accountability in the sector, stressing that payments would now be tied strictly to electricity actually delivered.
“We will no longer pay for power that is not delivered. Payments are now tied to actual, metered supply,” the governor stated.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Abiodun Ogunleye, said the state plans to scale up its generation capacity significantly within the next few years through private sector investment.
He noted that ongoing projects, including the rehabilitation of the Akute Independent Power Plant and other embedded generation initiatives, are expected to improve supply to key areas and public facilities.
Meanwhile, residents and business owners say the erratic power supply is taking a toll on their livelihoods, forcing many to rely heavily on alternative energy sources.
A frozen food trader, Kemi Adebayo, lamented the high cost of running generators. “I run my generator more than I use public power. If there is no light, my goods spoil. If I use fuel, I lose profit,” she said.
Similarly, a welder, Sani Ibrahim, described the situation as unsustainable. “We spend more on diesel than on raw materials. Sometimes, customers leave because we cannot deliver on time,” he said.
