Hachimenum N. Amadi^1,, Ephraim N.C. Okafor¹, Fabian I. Izuegbunam¹

Energy shortages is the major challenge facing the industrial sector in Nigeria. This paper assessed the energy shortages due to technical losses in the Nigerian distribution network and the cost implications. The study was carried out based on network data collected over the period 2011-2015 from three electricity distribution companies (DisCos) drawn from the three major industrial cities of Nigeria. These data were simulated on the Electrical Transient Analysis program (ETAP) Version 12.6. The calculated energy losses for these cities for the said period are 108,959.87 MWH, 149,256 MWH and 72,743.08 MWH respectively. The corresponding revenue losses are 2,434,164,012, 3,538,754,758.8 and 1,699,751,530.1 respectively. The paper suggested remedial measures to reduce energy losses, mitigate losses arising from unannounced electricity cuts as well as achieve a more efficient and reliable electricity distribution network. The outcome of this research provides a data bank for policy makers and future researchers in the areas of electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

electricity failures, energy loss implication, energy shortages, Nigeria firms, power outages