The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced plans to enter a bilateral power supply agreement with NNPC Limited to enhance electricity distribution across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Under the proposed arrangement, AEDC will receive power from NNPC’s 350-megawatt plant in Gwagwalada, scheduled for completion before the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, AEDC’s Acting Managing Director, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the company is exploring multiple avenues to improve electricity supply across its franchise areas. He assured that the new plant would contribute to a more stable and reliable power distribution network. “We are not where we need to be yet in terms of service delivery,” Okwuokenye admitted, noting that energy received and distributed by AEDC has increased by nearly 15 percent over the past year.
Accompanied by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Blessing Ogbe, and Chief Technical Officer, Godfrey Aba, the Acting MD highlighted ongoing investments in network reinforcement, including the construction of new feeders and injection substations to improve power quality and reduce outages in critical areas. Customers in targeted locations are expected to experience 18–20 hours of electricity daily starting mid-March as new infrastructure comes online. AEDC is also developing alternative supply routes and improving system flexibility to ensure continuity during grid disturbances.
To reduce dependence on the national grid, AEDC is investing in embedded generation projects, including three 10-megawatt solar plants in key FCT load centres, with provisions for future expansion. The company is promoting mini-grid and integrated solar solutions for underserved areas, allowing private investors to connect directly to the distribution network.
Okwuokenye further revealed a franchise scheme enabling private operators to invest in network upgrades in challenging areas in exchange for a share of revenue. As part of efforts to improve billing transparency, AEDC has intensified its metering programme under the Meter Asset Fund, deploying around 70,000 meters between last year and early 2026. This initiative has shifted customers from estimated to actual billing, reduced commercial losses, and strengthened customer confidence. The Acting MD noted that AEDC now meets 100 percent of its market payment obligations, improving liquidity and supporting higher energy allocation across its network.
