The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has released the Draft Fifth Amendment to Regulation No. 4 of 2013, which deals with the supply of electricity and the recovery of costs for providing electric lines and related infrastructure. The latest draft amendment comes after the commission introduced the Fourth Amendment in 2025 to simplify service connection charges for electricity connections up to 150 kW located within a 1 km radial distance from the existing power distribution network.
Following the implementation of the 2025 amendment, several power distribution companies, including APSPDCL, APCPDCL, and APEPDCL, along with CREDAI Andhra Pradesh, approached the commission seeking clarification on various technical and financial issues. The concerns mainly related to the interpretation of the 1 km distance limit, treatment of group applications in multi-storied residential projects, and charges applicable for dedicated Distribution Transformers (DTRs).
After reviewing the representations, the commission concluded that further changes were necessary to remove practical difficulties and improve transparency in the implementation of the regulations.
Under the proposed amendment, APERC has clearly defined the term “electrified network” as an existing, energized, and serviceable distribution network available at a feasible voltage level. For both Low Tension (LT) and 11 kV High Tension (HT) electricity connections, the network will be treated as existing if it falls within a radial distance of 1 km. The amendment further specifies that the total length of the service line, including both HT and LT portions combined, should not exceed 1 km.
The draft amendment also introduces specific provisions for multi-storied buildings and apartment complexes. According to the proposal, the load of all individual service connections in a residential complex will be combined to determine the total cumulative load. If the cumulative connected load remains below 150 kW, consumers may either pay charges as per the standard regulation or opt for charges based on the estimated cost of infrastructure. However, if the total load exceeds 150 kW, the electricity connection will be provided only on the basis of the detailed estimated cost.
In addition, the commission has clarified the rules related to dedicated Distribution Transformers. Consumers seeking dedicated transformers for loads below 20 kW can choose to install such transformers by bearing the complete estimated cost. These transformers must be located within the consumer’s premises and cannot be used by the utility to supply electricity to other consumers.
For consumers requesting additional load within the available capacity of an existing dedicated DTR, the charge has been fixed at ₹2,000 per kW. However, if the additional load requires installation of a new DTR or augmentation of the existing transformer, the applicable charge will be ₹12,600 per kW for the additional load requested.
The commission has also included a consumer safeguard provision. In cases where a transformer is upgraded, the collected charges will be compared with the actual differential cost between the old and new transformer. Any excess amount collected from the consumer will be adjusted in future electricity bills.
The proposed amendment will apply across Andhra Pradesh and will come into force after its publication in the official Gazette.
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