Enugu Electricity Regulator Orders Refund for Overbilling, Gives MainPower July Deadline
Over 20,000 customers of MainPower Electricity Distribution Company are set to receive refunds after the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission exposed massive overbilling in April 2025.
The EERC has mandated full repayment or risk fines of ₦500,000 per day, signaling a bold stance on consumer protection and enforcing accountability in the state’s electricity sector.
The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has directed MainPower Electricity Distribution Company, previously known as Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), to reimburse thousands of customers over incorrect billing in April 2025. This decisive regulatory action comes after a series of unresolved complaints by consumers over excessive charges for electricity usage.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Commission disclosed that over 20,000 customers were impacted by what it termed “wrongful billing” through estimated charges that far exceeded acceptable limits. The EERC, invoking its powers under Section 35 of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, has ordered MainPower to refund all overbilled units for the month of April 2025.
According to the notice, the names of affected customers have been made publicly available on the Commission’s official website, www.eerc.en.gov.ng. Customers who fail to receive their refunds within the stipulated timeframe are advised to contact the Commission directly through its email at info@eerc.en.gov.ng or call the hotline at 09122642755 to seek redress.
The order was jointly signed by EERC Chairman Chijioke Okonkwo and the Commissioner for Market Operations, Barr. Reuben Okoye. It mandates MainPower to process and complete all refunds no later than the July 2025 billing cycle. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the company incurring a daily penalty of ₦500,000, in accordance with the enforcement provisions of the Enugu State Electricity Law.
The Commission’s decision follows months of documented violations by MainPower, dating back to October 2024. EERC began monitoring the company’s billing practices after assuming regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Initial concerns were formally raised in a letter dated December 16, 2024, in which the Commission questioned MainPower’s billing discrepancies. The company responded on January 14, 2025, but the Commission found the explanation unsatisfactory.
EERC’s investigations intensified in April 2025 when a follow-up letter drew attention to ongoing violations between October 2024 and February 2025. The Commission demanded immediate corrective measures in the March and April billing cycles, warning that failure to comply would trigger regulatory sanctions.
On May 6, 2025, another letter was issued, raising fresh concerns over the uncanny similarity in estimated billing reports for February and March. MainPower was given 14 days to explain the inconsistencies. However, the deadline expired on May 23 without any response from the electricity company.
Following an audit of MainPower’s April billing report, the Commission observed a worsening trend, with the level of billing violations increasing from 24% in February and March to a staggering 34% in April 2025. This, the EERC concluded, demonstrated a “deliberate breach” of the terms and conditions stipulated in MainPower’s interim license, specifically those concerning capped estimated billing.
As a result, the Commission has not only ordered a full refund to the affected customers but has also warned of serious consequences if the company fails to comply.
“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,” the order stated.
The EERC emphasized that it would not hesitate to apply further sanctions, including financial penalties, should the company default on the directive. The fine, as outlined under Section 32(5) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, allows the Commission to impose up to ₦500,000 per day of non-compliance.
This action marks one of the strongest regulatory interventions by the EERC since its establishment and signals a new era of consumer protection and accountability in the Enugu State power sector.
