To All MD Customers, No Prepaid Meter Don’t Pay Estimated Bills – NERC
The Regulation on Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services, 2007 provides for the connection of customers to electricity distribution networks by distribution companies.
In line with the Act governing the commission Maximum Demand (MD) meters are used by commercial and industrial customers who consume high levels of electricity and contribute substantially to the revenues of distribution companies. The consumption threshold for MD customers is 45KVA.
A directive was issued to distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to be metered by 30 November 2016.
The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016 deadline. The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of appeals received from distribution companies.
Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows.
Fence forth “any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to report this to the Commission.”
The commission further reiterate that “no distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customer’s refusal to pay a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing methodology.”
In conclusion the commission gives directive that any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 should notify the Commission directly.
Nigerians are advices to comply with the public notices so as to help the federal government, ministry of power and the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission meet the set standard of regulation in Nigeria.
