Proposed Consumer Service Manual amendments would revise rules for grid sharing, industrial connections, steel furnaces, temporary disconnections and detection bills.
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has proposed imposing grid sharing charges on buildings requiring dedicated transformers with a capacity exceeding 500 kVA, as part of a broader overhaul of electricity connection and billing rules.
The proposal is contained in amendments to the Consumer Service Manual (CSM) for which NEPRA issued a public notice seeking comments on September 25, 2026. The existing CSM includes a provision under which a building comprising ground plus three storeys is not treated as a multi-storey or high-rise building for grid-sharing purposes.
Under the proposed amendment to Clause 2.6(3), any building requiring a dedicated transformer above 500 kVA would become liable for grid sharing charges.
Multiple industrial connections proposed up to 15 MW
NEPRA has also proposed a revised framework allowing distribution companies (DISCOs) to provide multiple industrial connections to new consumers or allow existing industrial consumers to increase their load through up to three feeders.
The consolidated load would be capped at 15 MW at the same premises, provided the connections fall under the same tariff category, such as B-3.
The proposed arrangements would remain subject to technical feasibility and the availability of capacity at the relevant grid station.
For loads exceeding 5 MW, consumers would be required to bear 100% of grid sharing charges, including transmission line charges, as well as the full cost of land proportionate to the additional load.
The proposed rates are Rs8.948 million per MW for grid sharing and transmission line charges and Rs0.855 million per MW for land.
For loads exceeding 15 MW, a dedicated grid station and associated transmission line would be required.
If a consumer subsequently increases its load beyond 15 MW and receives a connection from a dedicated grid station, charges previously paid for grid sharing, transmission lines and land would be refunded under the proposed framework.
NEPRA has proposed extending the same arrangements to commercial and bulk supply connections.
Steel furnace connection rules revised
The proposed CSM amendments would also introduce revised connection requirements for steel furnace consumers.
For loads of up to 1 MW, consumers would require dedicated transformer(s), an 11 kV distribution feeder and applicable rehabilitation charges.
For loads exceeding 1 MW but up to 2.5 MW, the proposed requirements would include dedicated transformer(s) and either a dedicated 11 kV feeder or rehabilitation charges based on actual costs where the connection is provided through an 11 kV distribution feeder.
The relevant DISCO would have to ensure that the technical parameters of the 11 kV distribution feeder are not compromised. Any additional cost required to meet those technical requirements would be borne by the consumer.
For loads exceeding 2.5 MW and up to 5 MW, dedicated transformer(s) and dedicated 11 kV feeder(s) would be required.
Temporary disconnection rules to change
NEPRA has proposed changes to the rules governing temporary electricity disconnections.
Consumers would have to approach the relevant DISCO for reconnection before the expiry of the permitted temporary disconnection period.
If a consumer fails to apply for reconnection, the connection would be deemed to have been reconnected once the temporary disconnection period expires, with applicable charges becoming payable thereafter.
The proposed rules would not prevent consumers from obtaining multiple temporary disconnections. However, before seeking another temporary disconnection, consumers would have to pay fixed charges and other applicable charges, if any, for at least one month.
Detection bills could cover up to 12 months
Another significant proposal concerns the period for which DISCOs may issue detection bills.
Under the proposed amendments, detection bills could be charged for up to 12 months for registered consumers in cases involving a bogus meter, freezing or software manipulation of a billing meter’s load profile, reversal of meter readings through Bluetooth devices or a security breach of the billing meter.
In such cases, detection bills would be calculated on the basis of load rather than future or previous consumption.
For domestic consumers, however, the proposed detection period would remain limited to six months.
For consumers in other tariff categories, detection bills could cover up to 12 months, taking into account the extent of alleged electricity theft and the availability of evidence.
The proposal would replace existing provisions under which detection bills for general supply consumers are generally restricted to three billing cycles, with extensions up to six months subject to specified approvals. The existing CSM also contains load-based detection-billing formulas and evidence requirements.
EV charging station provision proposed for removal
NEPRA has further proposed removing the provision concerning the maximum margin for public electric vehicle charging stations from the Consumer Service Manual.
The proposed amendments would therefore affect a broad range of electricity consumers, covering grid sharing charges, industrial and commercial connections, steel furnace connections, temporary disconnections, detection billing and public EV charging stations.
As the changes are currently proposals, their final form will depend on NEPRA’s regulatory process and consideration of comments received following the public notice.