Commission Grants Operational Licence to FPEDC for Electricity Distribution in Anambra
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) has granted an operational licence to the First Power Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FPEDC) for electricity distribution in the state.
Chairman /CEO of the Commission, Prof Frank Okafor issued an interim license to the company in Awka to legalize their operation of power distribution in the state.
Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, had issued an order of transfer of regulatory oversight of the electricity market in the state, after the October 9, 2025, inauguration of five professionals as commissioners to midwife the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Presenting the operating licence to FirstPower on Thursday, Okafor said the development is part of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration’s commitment to enhancing the state’s electricity infrastructure and promoting industrialization.
According to him, “following the transfer, and in consideration of extant provisions of the Anambra State Electricity Law (the Law), 2025, particularly section 33 of the law, only companies issued with license under the law are authorized to participate in the new electricity market in Anambra state.
“However, some of these entities may already be rendering services to customers which must not be disrupted due to no-license status. Meanwhile, the process of regularization of an existing license follows a procedure that is deliberately thorough.
“Therefore, the commission, after due consideration, passed a resolution to issue interim licences to companies licenced by NERC, and currently operational in the state, in order to legalize their operations in the state in line with the provisions of the law.
“One such delicate operator is First Power Electricity Distribution Company Limited, and consequently, the Commission has deemed it expedient to legalize it’s operations in the state by the issuance of an interim license.”
Dr Ernest Mupwaya from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, while receiving the certificate hailed the Electricity Act of 2023 for revolutionizing Nigeria’s electricity sector, empowering states to develop their own regulatory frameworks.
He cited Anambra State’s emergence as a leader in implementing these reforms, with EEDC’s subsidiary, FirstPower, receiving a licence from Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).
Mupwaya attributed the achievement to collaboration between stakeholders, including the Anambra State Government, which developed key instruments like the State Electricity Law and Policy.
He described the transition process as “a model of constructive engagement, technical depth, and transparent coordination”, paving the way for a competitive electricity market in Anambra State.
Mupwaya affirmed that EEDC and FirstPower are fully aligned with the state’s development aspirations, noting that the ongoing reforms have created the conditions for accelerated investment, network expansion, improved customer service and modernisation of the electricity value chain.
“Our growth plans for FirstPower are deliberately structured to complement the state’s industrialisation agenda, urban expansion, agricultural development and SME competitiveness.
“We see in Anambra a transformation template that other jurisdictions can study and adapt. This state has shown that with the right leadership, clear policies, structured engagement and professional regulatory oversight, the objectives of the Electricity Act 2023 can be achieved smoothly and sustainably”.
He assured that the the company will surpass the expectations of the state government and the Anambra people in terms of performance.
Earlier in his reaction, Managing Director Firstpower Electricity Distribution Company Okechukwu Okafor, said the licensing was to formalise the company’s presence and inform stakeholders that this is no longer EEDC in charge but an independent body saddled with the responsibility of distributing electricity in Anambra.
“We are going to partner with the industrialists, the state government, and Ndi Anambra so that they will understand that our presence is geared towards a better solution to electricity.
“We want to change the narrative and target the customers to be happy. We need to take the message to them, provided there is goodwill. We hope that by the end of 2027, the billing rights of the customer will be metered for easy accountability.”
