Anambra State Moves to Regulate Its Own Electricity Sector
In a landmark move aimed at reshaping the energy landscape in Southeastern Nigeria, the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has approved the establishment of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), effectively setting the stage for the state to take direct control of its electricity regulation. The resolution, passed on June 2, 2025, during a high-level meeting at the newly named “Light House Awka,” underscores a bold shift towards energy independence and localized governance.
This unprecedented initiative follows the recent enactment of the Anambra State Electricity Act, a state-specific legislation made possible by the federal Electricity Act of 2023. That national reform decentralizes electricity regulation, empowering states across Nigeria to establish their own electricity markets, licensing authorities, and grid systems tailored to local needs. Anambra is among the first to seize this opportunity with institutional vigor.
Electricity supply has long been a point of frustration for residents and businesses in Anambra. Power outages, erratic voltage, and an over-reliance on fossil fuel generators have hobbled industrial productivity and undermined the quality of life. By creating the ASERC, Anambra is not just responding to these complaints—it is setting a precedent for what state-led energy reform can look like.
Governor Charles Soludo, speaking through his Special Adviser on Power and Energy, said the Commission will be “empowered to issue licenses, regulate operators, monitor electricity supply standards, and ensure transparency in billing and service delivery.” The ultimate goal, he noted, is a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity ecosystem for Anambra’s 8 million residents.
According to documents released, the regulatory body will be guided by four core pillars: accessibility, accountability, sustainability, and innovation. The Commission will have the authority to approve tariffs, enforce safety standards, and settle disputes between providers and consumers.
The new framework also opens the door for independent power producers (IPPs), renewable energy developers, and microgrid operators to enter the market. This diversified model is expected to catalyze job creation, attract investment, and promote rural electrification.
Despite its ambitious promise, Anambra’s regulatory leap is not without complications. For one, the state must now navigate legacy issues tied to the federal grid system, including existing contracts with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and inherited liabilities from the national power sector reforms.
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Additionally, experts caution that institutional capacity, data infrastructure, and political interference could derail progress. “Setting up a regulatory commission is one thing; staffing it with professionals, enforcing standards, and insulating it from politics is another.
Nevertheless, supporters argue that even with hurdles, localized regulation offers the best shot at efficiency. A decentralized system could improve responsiveness, reduce corruption, and foster community-level accountability.
The creation of ASERC is expected to be a game-changer for sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, and agro-processing—all heavily reliant on stable electricity. Already, industrial clusters in Nnewi, Onitsha, and Awka have expressed optimism that better power regulation could slash operational costs and boost output.
At the household level, the implications are equally profound. Lower energy costs and more consistent supply could improve healthcare delivery, educational outcomes, and overall quality of life.
Civil society groups, including the Anambra Energy Justice Network, have hailed the move as a “democratization of power itself.” They are calling for robust public participation in shaping the Commission’s policies and insist that transparency be baked into its DNA from the start.
The next steps include appointing Commissioners, drafting operational guidelines, and conducting a comprehensive energy audit across the state. Stakeholders will also be engaged through town hall meetings, policy briefs, and investor roadshows.
Already, interest is growing among renewable energy startups eager to participate in the new regime. Solar energy firms, in particular, view Anambra’s tropical climate and high demand for off-grid solutions as fertile ground for expansion.
Moreover, the government has hinted at plans to integrate energy education into school curricula, prepare technical colleges for the new energy economy, and establish partnerships with universities for research and innovation.
Anambra’s decision could serve as a template for other states exploring how to leverage the decentralization provided by the 2023 Electricity Act. States such as Lagos, Kaduna, and Ekiti are reportedly watching Anambra’s experiment closely.
Analysts believe that if successful, Anambra’s approach could help trigger a chain reaction of state-level reforms, bringing Nigeria closer to solving its decades-long power crisis.
By asserting control over its electricity regulation, Anambra State is not just rewriting policy—it is rewriting its future. In doing so, it joins a global movement where subnational entities take the lead in energy reform, climate resilience, and infrastructure governance.
The newly approved Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission may still be in its infancy, but the signal it sends is loud and clear: the power to change the power sector is no longer out of reach.
As Nigeria continues to evolve within a federal structure that increasingly rewards local initiative, Anambra’s bold step may illuminate the path for others to follow.
