By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is considering exporting electricity to Equatorial Guinea as both nations have advanced talks over the possibility.
Recently, representatives of Equatorial Guinea were at the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja for further discussions.
NERC confirmed the talks by posting pictures of the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Francisco Edu Ngua Mangue and NERC chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba, alongside other commissioners on its Twitter account.
It was revealed that a major part of the discussion was on how to build stronger trade relations between the two countries, including electricity supply.
According to the commission, “He was received by the Chairman @NERCNG Engr. Sanusi Garba, who welcomed and assured him of the Commission’s support in line with its mandate to protect the rights of consumers,” NEC had tweeted after Mr Mangue’s visit.”
Although electricity is available in Equatorial Guinea, only its larger towns enjoy improved supply which comes majorly from just three small hydropower facilities.
Nigeria has 23 power generating plants connected to the national grid with the capacity to generate 11,165.4 megawatts of electricity.
Nigeria already exports electricity to other neighbouring countries such as the Republic of Benin, Niger, and Togo despite a paltry generation barely enough to cater for its over 200 million population.
The move, if it goes through, will see Nigeria supplement the electricity distribution of the Central African country.
The move has drawn criticism as other countries which also get electricity from Nigeria, owe the country a huge amount of debts. These nations are the Niger Republic $16 million and the Benin Republic $4 million.
Although the country’s export has drawn criticism from many parties, President Buhari had explained that Nigeria entered into the electricity power export agreements with some of her neighbouring countries so that they would not build dams on the path of River Niger.
