Systems Design

This chapter covers the detailed overview of the each step involved in the Net Metering procedure as per NEPRA’s Regulation along with the timeline. Interconnection of consumer and DISCO and interconnection of DISCO and NEPRA covers in this section.

The Power Division, Ministry of Energy (MoE) is promoting net metering and intending to provide the services to the customers at their door step. Therefore, MoE has desired that the installers of systems for net metering (DG installers) as shortlisted by AEDB will be required to process the application for net metering on behalf of consumers applying for net metering connections up to 250 kW capacity. NEPRA has improved/shortened the timeperio for processing net metering applications. Moreover, MoE has asked DISCOs to get applications approved and connections energized within one month of receipt of application from the consumers.
The Flow of steps involve in Net Metering Process along with the timeline for net metering connections are as follows.

Any applicant who meets the requirement of DG as defined in NEPRA’s regulation, submits their application along with the necessary documents to the focal person of the DISCO. Application form is attached at the Annexure and can also be downloaded from NEPRA’s website.

The DISCO will acknowledge its receipt and inform the applicant whether the application is completed in all respect or not. For the purpose of net metering connections up to 250 kW capacity, NEPRA has relaxed requirement of inspection from Electric Inspector.

Incomplete application form

In case the application found incomplete, the DISCO will return the application the same day and will ask the applicant to complete the application and re-submit it. The applicant will have to submit the application in complete form to the DISCO office.

Upon being satisfied that the applicant is complete in all respect, The DISCO office will perform an initial review to determine whether applicant qualifies for interconnection facility and required additional requirements, like comparison between sanctioned load and the size of the system installed.

As per DISCOs, for connections up to 250 kW, no technical feasibility study is needed. Power Division, Ministry of Energy has directed the DISCOs to carry out technical studies and approve the connections at the Sub-Division level. In case the initial review reveals that the proposed facility is not technically feasible, the DISCO will return the application and communicate the reason to the applicant.

If the DISCO office is satisfied that the applicant qualifies as a DG, then the DISCO and the applicant will enter into agreement. Agreement form (Schedule-I) is added in the annexure.

The DISCO office will send the copy of the agreement between the applicant and the DISCO to the NEPRA along with the application for the issuance of Generation license. NEPRA will issue the Generation Licence within seven working days after receipt of requisite documents by DISCOs.

After the agreement DISCO office will issue the Connection Charge Estimate (CCE), if any, to the applicant for the proposed interconnection facility up to the interconnection point including metering installation.
The applicant have the choice either it obtains the bi-directional meter from DISCO or purchased it from private sector manufacturers and get it certified from the concerned DISCO as per technical requirements notified by NTDC.

If applicant choose to obtain the meter from concerned DISCO and DISCO has given the notice to the applicant to make the payment of Connection Charge Estimate (CCE), the applicant will pay the same and notify the DISCO office.

When the charges will be paid the DISCO office will install and commission the proposed interconnection facility after the confirmation of Generation License to the DG by NEPRA.

This chapter will cover the requirements that are needed to be checked by the DISCO office in proposed DG facility by the consumer.

At the beginning of application procedure DISCO office has to make sure that these initial requirements are to be fulfilled by the applicant.