The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has proposed changes to its Consumer Service Manual that could increase costs for some electricity consumers, particularly high-rise buildings and large industrial and commercial users.

The regulator has proposed charging certain multi-storey buildings for grid sharing if they require dedicated transformers above 500 kVA. Under current rules, buildings up to ground plus three storeys are generally not treated as high-rise structures.

NEPRA has also proposed allowing distribution companies to provide up to three connections at the same premises, with a combined load of up to 15 MW, subject to technical feasibility and available grid capacity.

Large consumers could face major charges

Consumers using more than 5 MW would be required to pay the full grid-sharing and transmission costs. The proposed rate is Rs8.948 million per MW, along with land costs of Rs0.855 million per MW.

Consumers seeking more than 15 MW would need a dedicated grid station and transmission line under the proposed framework.

NEPRA also wants new rules for temporary disconnections. Consumers would have to request reconnection before the approved period ends, otherwise the connection would be treated as active and applicable charges would be imposed.

The regulator has further proposed detection bills for certain meter and billing violations, with recovery possible for up to 12 months for registered consumers. For domestic consumers, the proposed detection period would be limited to six months.

Stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments, with October 25 set as the deadline. NEPRA has also proposed removing the requirement for electric vehicle charging stations following the liberalisation of EV charging margins.