The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has ordered MainPower Electricity Distribution Company to refund over 20,000 customers who were wrongfully billed for electricity in April 2025.
This directive was issued in a public notice released on Monday, following multiple complaints from customers about inflated electricity bills.
“Pursuant to Section 35 of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023 and other extant rules, this is to inform customers in Enugu State that the Commission has issued an Order to MainPower to refund the affected customers the overbilled units for energy consumed in April 2025,” the EERC notice reads.
According to the Commission, the list of affected customers has been published on its official website: www.eerc.en.gov.ng/order. Customers who are not refunded by the end of the stipulated period are advised to contact the Commission.
The order, signed by EERC Chairman, Chijioke Okonkwo and Commissioner for Market Operations, Reuben Okoye, mandates that MainPower complete all refunds by the July 2025 billing cycle at the latest.
“MainPower shall refund the over-bill to the affected customers within the June 2025 billing cycle, but not later than the July 2025 billing cycle.”
“Where MainPower fails or neglects to comply with this Order, the Commission shall invoke its powers under section 32 (5) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, which authorises the Commission to impose a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) for each day that MainPower may be in default of compliance with this Order,” the order concluded.
EERC began tracking MainPower’s estimated billing system in October 2024, after it took over full regulatory control in Enugu State from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
It cited a pattern of non-compliance and failure to address issues flagged in letters dated 16th December 2024, 14th January, 4th April, and 6th May 2025.
“The Commission, in its letter to MainPower dated 6th May 2025 called MainPower’s attention to the suspiciously striking similarity between MainPower’s estimated billing reports in February and March 2025; and gave MainPower 14 days from the date of receipt of the letter to provide an explanation, if any.”
“The 14 days given to MainPower to respond to the Commission’s letter dated 6th May 2025, expired on 23rd May 2025 without any response from MainPower.”
Following a review of the April 2025 billing report, the Commission said violations of billing caps worsened from 24 percent in February and March to 34 percent in April.
“The Commission recently reviewed MainPower’s April 2025 estimated report, and observed that the degree of violation of the caps on estimated billing by MainPower had further deteriorated,” EERC stated.
It concluded that MainPower had deliberately breached the terms of its interim licence and committed to enforcing strict compliance moving forward.
