NEPRA suggests grid sharing charges for high rise buildings

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested increased grid sharing charges for high rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.

Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.

Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.

NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.

The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.

Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.

The public comments on the proposed revisions have been invited by NEPRA and stakeholders have been given 30 days’ time to offer their views till October 25.The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested additional grid-sharing costs for high-rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.

Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.

Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.

NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.

The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.

Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.

ISLAMABAD: NEPRA has floated the proposed revisions for public comments and has given 30 days time to the stakeholders to express their opinions by October 25.