The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred regulatory control of Bayelsa State’s electricity market to the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA), making Bayelsa the 15th state to assume independent oversight under the amended Electricity Act 2023.
In a statement, NERC said the state fulfilled all requirements, including passing a state electricity law, setting up a regulatory agency, and demonstrating capacity to manage the sector.
Under the new arrangement, BYERA will license operators, set tariffs, enforce service standards, resolve consumer complaints, and encourage investment in off-grid and embedded power projects.
NERC also instructed the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) to establish a subsidiary within 60 days to handle intrastate supply and distribution in Bayelsa. The transition is expected to be completed by February 20, 2026.
Bayelsa now joins Lagos, Delta, Edo, Enugu and other states that have taken charge of their electricity markets since the decentralisation enabled by the Electricity Act, signed into law in June 2023.
