The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Bayelsa State from the Commission to the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (BYERA).
This was in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 as Amended.
The Commission, however, in accordance with the provisions of the EA 2023, retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.
The EA mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the State Regulator.
NERC, following this demand, has directed the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED) to incorporate asubsidiary (PHED SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Bayelsa State from PHED.
The Commission said the PHED shall complete the incorporation of PHED SubCo within 60 days from 21st August 2025. It noted that the subcompany shall apply for and obtain licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from BYERA, among other directives.
It said all transfers envisaged by this order shall be completed by 20th February 2026.
