Aba Power Limited Electric, (APLE), a Nigerian electricity distribution company, has announced a more than 50 per cent electricity tariff hike for customers within its franchise in Abia State.

The company disclosed this in a notice to customers shared through its official X handle on Monday.

The power company attributed the hike to macroeconomic realities it faced.

The hike comes after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), granted approval.

The new tariff regime kicked off on 1st January, 2025.

According to the increment, customers categorised under Band A feeders will now pay between N219.70 and N241.45 per kilowatt-hour.

Electricity customers under Band B are to pay between N180.77 and N203/kWh, while Band C feeders will pay between N145 and N205/kWh.

“We also wish to inform you that we have recently received an approval order from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for an adjustment of electricity tariffs, effective January 1, 2025.

“This adjustment will enable us to cushion the effects of recent macroeconomic developments in Nigeria on our ability to continue to deliver a high quality of service to our customers in compliance with regulatory standards.”

Recall that APLE, had in December, applied to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to increase electricity in its franchise area by 123.33 per cent from January 1, 2025.

The company had at a public hearing organised by NERC in Abuja on Tuesday blamed inflation, rising exchange rate and high operational cost in its quest for the extra ordinary tariff review.