The Federal Government has opened discussions with electricity distribution companies on a plan to establish dedicated Energy Zones that could support 24-hour electricity supply in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and other major areas with high power demand.

The proposed zones will cover three major corridors: the Lagos axis, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, met with representatives of selected electricity distribution companies to discuss the initiative, the minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The initiative is designed to improve electricity supply to households, businesses and industries while tackling distribution challenges that often prevent available power from reaching consumers.

Tegbe said the country’s electricity challenges extend beyond generation and transmission, noting that the distribution end of the supply chain also determines how much power ultimately gets to consumers.

“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the minister said.

He said the proposed Energy Zones would increase the volume of electricity delivered to consumers and support higher demand from commercial and industrial users.

The minister also said the plan could strengthen the revenue generation and collection performance of distribution companies.

Tegbe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in areas with significant demand, stressing that power supply must grow alongside economic activity.

The zones are expected to prioritise locations where dependable electricity is critical to manufacturers, businesses and other productive sectors.

However, the government has not announced a specific timeline for implementing the plan. Details on the projected electricity capacity of the zones and the infrastructure investment required to achieve 24-hour supply were also not disclosed.

The meeting formed part of the minister’s phased approach to addressing challenges across the power sector and is linked to the electricity objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.