The Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has approved 14 electricity licences and permits covering off-grid generation, embedded generation, independent distribution, metering services, and interconnected mini-grid operations as part of efforts to strengthen power supply across the state.
The approvals were announced during the Commission’s maiden stakeholder engagement held earlier this week, marking a significant step in the implementation of Lagos State’s evolving intrastate electricity market framework.
According to LASERC, the licensing exercise is designed to create a structured electricity market capable of attracting private investment, expanding electricity access, and improving power reliability for businesses and residents.
Among the approved projects, Axxela Limited received authorisation for a 5.8-megawatt off-grid generation project at Cadbury Nigeria Plc in Agidingbi.
Daybreak Power Solutions Limited secured multiple off-grid generation licences covering facilities operated by Seven-Up Bottling Company, Nigerian Breweries Plc, NBC, Crown Flour Mill, Nigerdock, and Promasidor.
In another major approval, Isolo Power Gen Limited obtained a licence for a 9MW embedded generation project along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Isolo.
LASERC also approved Isolo Power Supply Limited as an Independent Electricity Distribution Network operator.
Additional approvals were granted to New Hampshire Capital, GossLink Engineering, and Enaro Energy Mini-Grid Limited for metering and mini-grid operations.
The Commission said the approvals demonstrate its commitment to deepening private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution across Lagos.
According to LASERC, the reforms align with the state government’s broader strategy to decentralise electricity supply through embedded generation projects, mini-grids, and independent distribution systems aimed at improving power access in industrial clusters and peri-urban communities while reducing dependence on the national grid.
The Commission noted that the regulatory framework is expected to support a more competitive, efficient, and investment-driven electricity market within the state.
As part of its long-term targets, LASERC said it aims to achieve 97.5 per cent electricity availability across Lagos by 2030 while reducing market losses to below 10 per cent through a decentralised and performance-driven power system.
The Commission disclosed that further reforms scheduled to commence in 2026 include the rollout of two to three 24-hour electricity franchise zones by October 2026 as pilot districts for uninterrupted power supply.
It also announced plans to introduce Grid Interface Guidelines and launch a 100 per cent metering initiative by July 2026.
Consumer complaint centres are expected to open in phases beginning from August 2026 in Amuwo Odofin, with additional centres planned for Ikorodu and Epe in September.
LASERC further revealed that the Electric Eye of Lagos Programme, an artificial intelligence-enabled metering system, would be finalised by August 2026 ahead of pilot deployment scheduled for October 2026.
The Commission added that draft market rules for the state’s electricity sector would be released in October 2026 and finalised by December the same year, alongside the introduction of regulatory sandbox guidelines to encourage innovation and increased private sector participation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu constituted LASERC in 2024 following the signing of the Lagos Electricity Bill into law, establishing the legal framework for Lagos State’s independent electricity market.
