The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Tuesday disclosed that its Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulation (Regulation No. NERC/R/112) will become effective on April 3 and orders the 11 power distribution companies to engage the services of the recently approved independent Meter Asset Providers in an effort to bridge the metering gap in the country.
This disclosure was made by the Head, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi.
“The Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulation (Regulation No. NERC/R/112), which would become effective on April 3, 2018, introduces meter asset providers as a new set of service providers in Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.
“As assets with a technically useful life of 10-15 years, the regulation provides for the third-party financing of meters, under a Permit issued by the Commission, and amortization over a period of 10 years.
“The electricity distribution companies, in line with their licensing terms and conditions, are obliged to achieve their metering targets as set by the Commission under the new regulation.
investment (RoI) made by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) on meters in their networks. It added that under the new regulation, customer classes shall be amended to ensure that they only pay for meters when a meter is physically installed in their premises.
“The electricity bill of customers provided with a meter under the new regulatory framework shall comprise of two parts – energy charge and metering service charge.
“The payment of metering service charge will be removed from the customer electricity bill upon the full amortization of the meter asset over its useful life. All faulty meters are expected to be repaired or replaced free of charge within two working days, except in instances where it is established that the customer is responsible for the damaged meter.
“In pursuit of promoting local content, the new MAP regulation mandates the investors to acquire a minimum of 30 per cent of their metering volume from indigenous meter manufacturers. This local content threshold may be adjusted by the Commission from time to time in line with the verified manufacturing volume of local manufacturers.
“The 11 electricity distribution companies are expected to, within 120 days from the effective date of the regulation; engage the services of MAPs towards the achievement of their three-year metering targets prescribed by the Commission.
“The performance of Meter Service Providers shall be governed by the provisions of the Meter Asset Regulation, technical codes of the electricity industry, and a Meter Services Agreement/Service Level Agreement signed with the distribution companies,” the statement added.
