The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in a new regulatory code, has said it will develop an order on capping of unmetered customers’ bills to address the issue of estimated billing in the country.
Contained in NERC’s Draft Meter Asset Providers Regulations 2017, the Commission said the order would be developed within 90 days after the approval of the new regulatory code.
TheNewsGuru reports NERC is working on the new regulatory code to bring in Meter Assets Providers to fund provisions of meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“The Commission shall within 90 days of the approval of these Regulations, develop an order on capping of unmetered customers bills to address the issue of estimated billing in the NESI. This creative regulatory initiative is expected to bridge the metering gap in NESI,” NERC said.
According to the new regulatory code, every electricity consumer shall have the right to a meter, installed to ensure proper energy accounting, but where a customer chooses the option of self-financing of the meter, the Distribution Licensee shall own such meters and repay the customers through energy credits over a period of time.
“Where the customer chooses the option of self financing of the meter, the Distribution Licensee shall provide the customer with authorisation specifying the amount to be paid for installation of a meter after inspection of the customer’s premises.
“The customer shall pay to the MAP [Meter Asset Provider] the full price of the meter as specified in the Distribution Licensee’s authorization.
“The MAP shall supply and install such meter at the premises of the customer within 21 working days of the Customer’s payment.
“The Distribution Licensee shall own such meters and shall repay the customers through energy credits over a period not exceeding 5 years,” the NERC new regulatory code read.
NERC further stated that if a customer’s metering system develops fault, the MAP will provide urgent metering services to repair or replace the meter and its accessories within two (2) working days.
“Where there is a dispute, the customer has a right to fair resolution in accordance with the Metering Code and other applicable Regulations,” NERC stated.