By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has launched the Bayelsa Electricity Research Consortium (BERCo), a pioneering energy research platform designed to drive innovation, strengthen the electricity market and develop practical solutions to the state’s persistent power challenges.
The consortium, established under the auspices of the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA), was unveiled recently, at Best Western Hotel, Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa.
The event brought together electricity stakeholders, energy scholars, professional bodies, officials of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Public Utilities, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL) and international development partners.
Speaking at the event, Governor Douye Diri said his administration’s commitment to providing steady electricity in the state had received a boost following the signing of the 2023 Electricity Act by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the legislation opened the way for states to participate in electricity generation, distribution and regulation by moving electricity to the Concurrent Legislative List.
Diri described research as the bedrock of development, warning that inadequate research could negatively affect efforts to address developmental challenges.
He charged the BERCo research team to approach its assignment with professionalism and develop solutions capable of improving service delivery across the electricity value chain through diversification, distribution and effective networking.
The Consul General of Germany to Nigeria, Ambassador Daniel Kruul, congratulated the government and people of Bayelsa on the state’s 30th anniversary, noting that the state had benefited from collaborative energy support involving the European Union and German Government.
Kruul said the establishment of BERCo was another area where German expertise and support could contribute to Bayelsa’s energy research and innovation efforts.
He assured the state government that the German Consulate remained open to further collaboration and partnerships.
Chairman of the BYERA Board, Barrister Austin Adigio, noted that despite Bayelsa’s abundant natural resources, including gas, sunlight and waterways, several riverine communities remained without electricity.
He said the old centralised electricity model could no longer adequately address the state’s energy needs, stressing the importance of homegrown solutions through BERCo.
BYERA Director-General, Dr Rosalyn Dressman, said the agency had made significant progress since commencing operations in August 2025.
She disclosed that BYERA had established the core structure of state electricity regulation, developed 60 schedules under its Licensing and Market Entry Regulations Booklets, issued its first licences to BYEDC, organised three public events, completed its digital support platform and received and distributed 5,000 electricity meters.
Dressman said BERCo would deepen research into electricity-related issues and help build the skilled workforce required to strengthen Bayelsa’s emerging electricity market.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Dr Peter Akpe, Chief of Staff Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, Commissioner for Information Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment Dr Ebieri Jones, among other stakeholders.
