Nepra proposes higher grid-sharing charges

Dawn reported that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has proposed raising fees for shared grid access, dedicated transformers, feeders and substations, as part of changes to its Consumer Service Manual. Buildings needing a dedicated transformer above 500kVA would become liable for these charges, which currently do not apply to ground-plus-three structures. Nepra also wants to drop the EV charging station requirement, as the government has liberalised those margins.

Discos would be allowed to offer multiple industrial, commercial or bulk connections, using up to three feeders with a combined 15MW ceiling at one premises. Consumers would carry the full grid-sharing bill, transmission element included, for loads above 5MW: Rs8.948 million per MW plus land costs of Rs0.855m per MW. Loads above 15MW would need a dedicated grid station plus a transmission line, and charges already paid would be refunded if a connection is later given from it.

Consumers must seek reconnection before a temporary disconnection expires, otherwise the connection is deemed restored and charges apply. Repeat temporary disconnections would require the consumer to pay fixed and applicable charges for a minimum of one month before the next request. Discos could also levy detection bills for up to 12 months in cases of bogus meters, load-profile freezing or meter manipulation, limited to six months for domestic consumers. Stakeholders have 30 days, until Oct 25, to submit written comments.