The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced new penalties for individuals and businesses found guilty of bypassing electricity meters.

In its newly-issued revised ‘Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and By-pass’ posted on its X page on Tuesday, NERC said the new order will strengthen enforcement against electricity theft and ensure compliance with metering regulations.

NERC added that the new order took effect on January 22.

“This amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023, which allow Distribution Companies (DisCos) to disconnect unauthorised connections without notice and prescribe reconnection conditions,” NERC said.

“The order aims to reduce unauthorised access to electricity, meter tampering, and by-pass. Also, establish transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance.”

For reconnection charges, NERC said customers who bypass meters or gain unauthorised access must pay administrative charges (including meter replacement costs) and reconnection costs.

“Administrative Charges: Any customer that gains unauthorised access to electricity through tampering or meter by-pass will be reconnected upon payment of the administrative charges including meter replacement cost which shall not exceed the sum outlined below,” the commission said.

“Non-MD (maximum demand residential) Single-phase meters: First offence will attract N100,000 while subsequent offence (N150,000).

“Non-MD Three-phase meters: First offence (N200,000) while subsequent offence (N300,000).”

Also, for maximum demand (MD), the first offence will attract 450 percent of the last unit of electricity the customer consumed, and 600 percent of the last recorded consumption for subsequent offence charges.

NERC further said for reconnection, non-MD customers will pay N10,000 and MD would pay N50,000.

On compensation for delayed reconnection, the electricity regulator said if DisCos fail to reconnect a customer within 48 hours after payment, they must compensate with 100 percent of daily energy consumption in energy credit.

NERC said customers guilty of unauthorised access must pay for the loss of revenue through back-billing at the prevailing tariff.

Last month, the commission said metering, billing, and service interruptions accounted for 70.28 percent of customer complaints received across all power distribution companies in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.