National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has issued a fine of N505,286,072 billion on eleven power distribution companies in Nigeria over non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.
NERC made this known in a statement on its official X handle on Friday.
It read, “NERC sanctions 11 discos over non-compliance with capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.
“The public may recall that in 2020, the Commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder. A review of the Electricity Distribution Companies (“DisCos”) billing of unmetered customers for 2023 has revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the commission.
“In response to this and in a bid to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos, the Commission, under Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023
(“EA 2023”), has issued the Order on Non-Compliance with Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/2024/004-014), which stipulates the following: Credit Adjustment to Customers: DisCos are to issue credit adjustments to all overbilled unmetered customers from January to September 2023 by the March 2024 billing cycle.
“Public Notice: DisCos have been directed to publish the list of credit adjustment beneficiaries in two national dailies and on their website no later than 31 March 2024.
“Regulatory Sanctions: The Commission shall deduct a sum of 10,505 286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the eleven (1 1) DisCos during the next tariff review to deter future non-compliance with the energy caps approved by the Commission.
“The Commission reaffirms its commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”
