New Delhi: Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has asked consumers across the Union Territory to reassess their sanctioned electricity load and bring it in line with how much power they are drawing, cautioning that consumption beyond the approved limit can invite penalties. CPDL, the electricity distribution and retail supply licensee for Chandigarh and part of the power business of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, said in a statement on Wednesday that a growing gap between sanctioned and actual load is straining the network and raising safety concerns.
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The company noted that a large number of homes and commercial premises have taken on additional electrical equipment over the years — including air conditioners, geysers, induction cooktops, electric vehicle chargers and other high-consumption devices — without correspondingly raising their sanctioned load or contract demand.
Its own assessment found that, measured by the number of connections, the load actually being drawn exceeds the sanctioned load in several cases. Consumers are often unaware of the mismatch, CPDL said, even though it can burden the distribution system and create safety hazards within their own premises.
CPDL pointed to the tariff order approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) on October 30, 2025, under which drawing power above the sanctioned load can attract load violation charges — covering both the excess demand and the energy tied to that excess.
The company laid out how the billing would work in such cases.
"For instance, if a consumer has a sanctioned load of 5 kW (kilowatt), but the maximum demand recorded by the meter is 7 kW, then the excess load would be 2 kW. Further, if the total electricity consumption during the billing period is 700 units, the consumption attributable to the excess load will be 200 units," the statement said.
"In this case, the 2 kW of excess load and the corresponding 200 units of electricity consumption shall be billed at twice the applicable normal tariff, in accordance with the applicable regulations," it added.
Consumers were encouraged to evaluate their current requirements and apply for a load enhancement where needed, with CPDL saying an updated sanctioned load supports safer and more reliable supply and aids system planning.
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A CPDL spokesperson said, "As Chandigarh's power requirements continue to grow, we request consumers to ensure that their sanctioned load accurately reflects their actual electricity usage".
Those looking to enhance their load can approach CPDL's customer service centres or use the company's digital platforms for assistance, the statement said.
The company's appeal aligns with a recent Central Electricity Authority (CEA) advisory on the safe and judicious use of electricity, which asked consumers to keep their connected load within the sanctioned limit and to notify the utility whenever their load rises. Doing so, the CEA said, helps the electrical system run safely and reduces the risk of mishaps.
