How do electricity bands and hours of supply compare?
This table combines what NERC's own FAQ confirms about hours of supply with rate ranges reported across multiple DisCos and comparison sites. The hours column is well-sourced and consistent; the rate column varies by DisCo and by which source you check, so treat it as an approximate range, not a fixed national price.
| Band | Minimum hours of supply per day | Approximate rate per kWh (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 20 hours | ~₦209 to ₦225 |
| B | 16 hours | ~₦62 to ₦63 |
| C | 12 hours | ~₦50 |
| D | 8 hours | ~₦43 to ₦50 |
| E | 4 hours | ~₦40 to ₦50 |
The hours figures are NERC's own stated minimums, meaning a Band A customer should receive at least 20 hours a day, not exactly 20. The rate figures differ across sources because DisCos set and revise their own tariffs, and public trackers don't always update at the same pace. Your prepaid vending receipt or bill is the accurate source for what you're actually being charged.
How do I find out which band I'm on?
- Check your most recent electricity bill or prepaid vending receipt, which usually states your band.
- If it isn't shown, contact your DisCo's customer service directly and ask.
- To estimate your effective rate yourself, divide the amount you vended (after VAT) by the number of kWh units on the receipt.
Who decides which band my area gets?
NERC's public FAQ doesn't spell out a detailed feeder-by-feeder assignment process. In practice, each DisCo measures the actual hours of supply delivered on a given feeder and assigns a band based on that data, then notifies affected customers of their band and rate. If the power you're actually receiving doesn't match your billed band, that's a legitimate complaint to raise with your DisCo, since the entire point of the system is that your rate should track real, delivered supply.
People also ask
Can my band change?
Yes. Bands are meant to reflect actual supply hours, so if your feeder's reliability improves or worsens, your DisCo can reclassify it, which changes your tariff.
Is Band A always the most expensive?
Yes, Band A is consistently the highest rate across DisCos and sources, since it guarantees the most hours of supply. Bands C, D and E cluster much closer together in price.
Why do different websites quote different Band A prices?
DisCos set their own rates independently and revise them periodically, and NERC does not publish one unified national rate table. Comparison sites can also lag behind the latest revision. Your own bill is the only figure you should rely on for your actual charge.
Does a higher band guarantee zero outages?
No. The band system guarantees a minimum, not a promise of uninterrupted supply. Outages below the guaranteed minimum for your band are a basis for a complaint to your DisCo or NERC.