The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Bayelsa State to the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA), making the state the 15th to assume independent control under the amended Electricity Act 2023.

In a statement, NERC said Bayelsa had met all legal and procedural requirements, including enacting a state electricity law, establishing a regulatory agency, and demonstrating readiness to oversee the sector.

Under the new arrangement, BYERA will license electricity providers, set tariffs, monitor service standards, resolve consumer complaints, and promote investments in off-grid and embedded power.

NERC also directed the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc (PHED) to create a subsidiary (PHED SubCo) within 60 days to manage intrastate supply and distribution in Bayelsa. The transfer is to be completed by February 20, 2026.

With the approval, Bayelsa joins states such as Lagos, Delta, Edo, and Enugu, which have also taken control of their electricity markets following the decentralisation provided by the Electricity Act signed in June 2023.

Emmanuel Addeh 

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