Energy Theft: Electricity meter tampering, by-pass, other now attract N300,000 penalty –NERC

*The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission announces the reviewed fines, ranging from N100,000 to N300,000 for violating extant regulations are designed to help curb electricity theft, improve revenue collection for the electricity Distribution Companies, and ultimately, enhance service delivery to consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced upward adjustments of penalties for electricity meter by-pass, tampering, and related offences by power consumers in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports the NERC disclosed this development in its newly-issued revised Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and By-pass posted on its verified X account Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

The power sector regulatory Commission affirmed the reviewed fines, ranging from N100,000 to N300,000 for violating extant regulations are designed to help curb electricity theft, improve revenue collection for the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and ultimately enhance service delivery.

According to NERC, with the latest adjustments to penalties, any electricity consumers caught tampering with their meters will face significant financial penalties.

The regulator also noted for non-Maximum Demand (MD) meters, the fine for a first offence is set at N100,000 for single-phase meters and N200,000 for three-phase meters.

It said subsequent violations would attract higher penalties between N150,000 and N300,000 respectively.

However, the Commission placed a maximum demand cap of 450 percent of last recorded consumption on first time offenders while subsequent offenders could be made to pay up to 600 percent of last recorded consumption.

NERC further stated that Non-MD and MD customers who committed the above offence would be required to pay N10,000 and N50,000 respectively as reconnection fees.

Objectives of new amendment, by NERC

The Commission disclosed the objectives of the amendment include reducing unauthorised access to electricity, meter tampering, and by-pass; Establishing transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance and deter future violations.

NERC as well explained 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 warned that customers guilty of unauthorised access must pay for the loss of revenue through back-billing at the prevailing tariff.

It as well said the revised order grants the DisCos the authority to disconnect unauthorised connections without prior notice, and prescribes clear conditions for reconnection.

The Commission stressed that stricter enforcement would help curb electricity theft, improve revenue collection for DisCos and ultimately enhance service delivery.

DisCos to launch awareness campaigns

NERC urged consumers to ensure compliance with metering regulations to avoid fines and disconnection.

Besides, the industry regulator also directed DisCos to launch awareness campaigns to educate customers on the legal and financial consequences of meter tampering, emphasising the need to regularise their electricity connections.

The Commission said the new order, which became effective from January 22 this year aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023.

These are designed to strengthen enforcement against electricity theft and ensure compliance with metering regulations in the ecosystem, it noted.