The Lagos State Government has approved 14 electricity licences and permits covering off-grid generation, embedded power generation, independent electricity distribution, metering services, and interconnected mini-grid operations as part of efforts to strengthen power supply across the state.

The approvals were granted by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) during its maiden stakeholder engagement held last week.

According to the commission, the move is aimed at creating a more structured electricity market capable of attracting private investment and improving power reliability for residents and businesses in Lagos.

Among the companies approved is Axxela Limited, which secured a licence for a 5.8-megawatt off-grid generation project at Cadbury Nigeria Plc in Agidingbi.

Daybreak Power Solutions Limited also received multiple off-grid generation approvals for facilities belonging to Seven-Up Bottling Company, Nigerian Breweries, NBC, Crown Flour Mill, Nigerdock, and Promasidor.

Similarly, Isolo Power Gen Limited obtained approval for a 9MW embedded generation project along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Isolo.

LASERC also licensed Isolo Power Supply Limited as an Independent Electricity Distribution Network operator. Additional approvals were issued to New Hampshire Capital, GossLink Engineering, and Enaro Energy Mini-Grid Limited for metering and mini-grid operations.

The commission described the approvals as a major step in the implementation of Lagos State’s evolving intrastate electricity market framework, which is designed to expand private sector participation and improve electricity access across industrial and residential areas.

According to LASERC, the state’s broader electricity strategy focuses on decentralising power supply through embedded generation, mini-grids, and independent distribution systems to ease pressure on the national grid while improving supply in industrial clusters and peri-urban communities.

The commission said the framework would help create a more efficient, competitive, and investment-driven electricity market in Lagos.

LASERC added that 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.

As part of planned reforms beginning in 2026, the commission said it would roll out two to three 24-hour electricity franchise zones by October 2026 as pilot districts for uninterrupted power supply.

It also disclosed plans to introduce Grid Interface Guidelines and commence a 100 per cent metering initiative by July 2026. Consumer complaint centres are expected to open in phases beginning in 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 AI-enabled metering system, would be completed by August 2026 before pilot deployment in October of the same year.

The commission said draft market rules would be released in October 2026 and finalised by December 2026, alongside the introduction of regulatory sandbox guidelines to encourage innovation and deepen private sector participation in the electricity sector.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu constituted LASERC in 2024 after signing the Lagos Electricity Bill into law, paving the way for the state’s independent electricity market framework.