The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has issued the PSERC (Electricity Supply Code, Standards of Performance and Related Matters) (3rd Amendment) Regulations, 2026, introducing several important changes to the state’s electricity supply framework. The amendments have been notified under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and will come into effect from the date of their publication in the official gazette.

One of the most significant changes relates to the method of estimating connected electricity loads for new residential, commercial, and industrial developments. The revised regulations provide a structured approach for calculating electricity demand based on the size and type of development. For residential plots, the estimated load ranges from 5 kW for plots up to 100 square yards to 50 kW for plots larger than 2,000 square yards. Similar norms have been introduced for residential flats, where the load requirement is linked to the covered area of the unit.

Commercial establishments such as shops, malls, hotels, and office complexes will now be assessed using specified load norms based on their floor area. Industrial parks, IT parks, and other large industrial developments will also follow defined load allocation criteria, ensuring a more transparent and standardized process for planning electricity infrastructure.

The amendment also introduces new requirements regarding land allocation for electricity infrastructure. Developers of residential colonies, housing projects, and commercial complexes will be required to provide land for grid substations depending on the estimated power demand of their projects. For developments with an estimated load between 10 MVA and 50 MVA, developers must provide 1,500 square yards of land to the distribution licensee at collector rates. For projects with a load exceeding 50 MVA, the land requirement has been increased to 3,000 square yards.

To ensure compliance with electricity infrastructure obligations, developers will also be required to submit a performance bank guarantee equal to 10% of the estimated cost of the local distribution system.

Recognizing the growing adoption of electric vehicles, the revised regulations make it mandatory for distribution licensees and franchisees to provide separate electricity connections for EV charging stations under the applicable tariff category. This move is expected to support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across Punjab.

The regulations further allow commercial and industrial complexes to shift from individual electricity meters to a single-point supply system. If more than 50% of unit owners agree through an irrevocable ballot, the association managing the complex can take responsibility for power distribution, billing, and maintenance on a no-profit, no-loss basis. Such associations will receive a 3% rebate on energy charges.

For domestic consumers located outside village boundaries, known as the Phirni area, new service connection rules have also been introduced. Consumers requiring service lines beyond 500 meters will have to bear additional charges for the extra length. In addition, the Punjab Government has revised appellate authority responsibilities under Section 127 of the Electricity Act, streamlining dispute resolution and appeals based on different contract demand categories.

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