Regulations on Electric Power Supply and Consumption
2018-04-07 1134
Regulations
on Electric Power Supply and Consumption (Revised in 2016)
Order of the State Council No.666
February 6, 2016
(Promulgated by the Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of
China No.196 on April 17, 1996; and revised in accordance with the Decision of
the State Council on Revising Certain Administrative Regulations on February 6,
2016)
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 For the purpose of strengthening the control on and management of
electric power supply and consumption, protecting the legitimate rights and
interests of both electric power suppliers and users, and ensuring electric
power supply and consumption to proceed in an orderly, safe, economic and
rational manner, these Regulations are hereby enacted pursuant to the Electric
Power Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 2 Within the People's Republic of China, all electric power supply
enterprises (hereinafter referred to as the power supplier), electric power
users (hereinafter referred to as the user) as well as units and persons
related to electric power supply and consumption must abide by these
Regulations.
Article 3 The administrative department of electric power of the State Council
shall be in charge of the supervision and control of electric power supply and
consumption throughout the country.
The administrative departments of the local people's governments at or above the
county level shall be responsible for the supervision and control of electric
power supply and consumption within their respective jurisdictions.
Article 4 Enterprises which operate electric power networks shall be
responsible for the management of electric power supply and consumption within
their respective power supply areas, according to law, and shall be subject to
supervision by the administrative departments of electric power.
Article 5 The state, in its administration of electric power supply and
consumption, follows the principles of safety, economy and a planned
utilization of electric power.
Both power suppliers and users shall abide by relevant regulations of the
State, and take effective measures to ensure a safe, economic and planned utilization
and consumption of electric power.
Article 6 Both power suppliers and users shall, under the principle of
equality, volition and consensus through consultations, sign contracts on the
supply and consumption of electric power.
Article 7 The administrative departments of electric power shall strengthen
their supervision and control over electric power supply and consumption, and
ban and prevent any acts that endanger the safety of electric power supply and
consumption or any illegal filching of electric power.
Chapter II Electric Power Supply Areas
Article 8 A power supplier shall supply electricity to users within its
authorized electric power supply area.
The division of supply areas shall be guided by such factors as the structure
of electric power networks and rationalization of electricity supply. Only one
electric power supply agency may be set up in one supply area.
Article 9 The establishment or change of electric power supply areas within the
territory of a province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the
Central Government, shall be applied for by the power supply enterprise, such
an application shall be examined and approved by the administrative department
of electric power under the people's government of the province, autonomous
region, or municipality directly under the Central Government, in consultation
with relevant departments at the same level; and, upon approval, the said
administrative department of electric power shall issue thereto a Permit for
Electricity Supply. The establishment or change of an electricity supply area
that involves two or more provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities
directly under the Central Government shall be examined and approved by the
administrative department of electric power under the State Council, which,
upon approval, shall issue thereto the Permit for Electricity Supply.
The enterprise, which operates an electric power grid shall, in line with the
structure of such electric power grid and rationalization of power supply,
assist the administrative departments of electric power in dividing power
supply areas.
Measures on the division and management of power supply areas shall be
formulated by the administrative department of electric power under the State
Council.
Article 10 When an electric power generating enterprise operates under a hookup
agreement with the power grid, the electric power output, which it feeds into
the power grid shall be placed under the unified management of the power supply
agency.
Article 11 If the volume of electricity to be consumed by a user exceeds the
power supply capacity of the power supplier in the power supply area, in which
the said user is located, the relevant administrative department of electric
power, at or above the provincial level, shall appoint other electric power
suppliers to supply electricity to the said user.
Chapter III Electric Power Supply Facilities
Article 12 The people's governments, at or above county level, shall include
plans on the construction and renovation of urban and rural electric power grid
into their master plans for urban and rural development. The administrative
departments of electric power at various level shall, together with relevant
administrative departments and enterprises operating power grids, make sound
planning on the construction and renovation of urban and rural power grids.
Power suppliers shall, in accordance with such plans, do a good job in the
construction and management of electric power supply facilities.
Article 13 Local people's governments at various level shall, in line with the
overall plans for urban and rural development, arrange in a well-coordinated
manner the land to be used as urban and rural power transmission corridors,
channels for electric power cables, and sites of regional substations, regional
power distribution stations and service centers.
Power suppliers may, in accordance with relevant State regulations, erect
electricity transmission lines, lay electric power cables and build facilities
for power supply on the land designated as power transmission line corridors
and electric power cables or designated for the construction of regional
substations, regional power distribution stations and service centers.
Article 14 The township, ethnic autonomous township and town people's
governments or the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above
county level shall be responsible for the construction of public street lights,
and shall also be responsible for the maintenance thereof and pay the electricity
fares therefor, and they may also entrust the power suppliers, by virtue of
paid services, to design, construct, maintain and manage such street lights on
their behalf.
Article 15 The designing, construction, testing and operation of power supply
facilities and power-receiving facilities shall comply with relevant State
standards or the electric power industrial standards.
Article 16 When power suppliers and users construct and maintain power supply
facilities or power-receiving facilities, relevant units and persons in the
area of operation shall provide them with necessary assistance and convenience;
if such operations cause damages to buildings or agricultural crops in the
area, the suppliers or users responsible shall repair, or pay due compensation
for, the damages, according to the provisions of relevant laws and
administrative regulations.
Article 17 When public power supply facilities have been constructed and put
into operation, the power supply units shall be responsible for their maintenance
and management in a coordinated manner. Power suppliers may, upon approval by
the administrative departments of electric power, undertake to utilize,
renovate or expand such power supply facilities.
The maintenance and management procedure of co-used power supply facilities
shall be decided through consultation by the owners; the owners also may
maintain and manage them by themselves, or entrust maintenance and management
thereof to power suppliers.
After the power supply facilities designed for the exclusive use of a user have
been constructed and put into use, the said user shall be responsible for their
maintenance and management, or entrust the maintenance and management thereof
to the power supplier.
Article 18 Whenever it becomes necessary, for purpose of development, to
relocate, renovate or take protective measures for the existing power supply
facilities, the construction unit shall consult, in advance, with the managing
unit of such power supply facilities, and the construction unit shall bear all
costs arising therefrom.
Chapter IV Electric Power Supply
Article 19 The quality of electricity supply at the receiving end of the users
shall comply with relevant State standards or the electric power industrial
standards.
Article 20 Methods of power supply shall be decided through consultation, under
the principle of safety, reliability, economy, rationality and convenient for
management, by both the electricity supply and consumption parties involved,
while taking into consideration such factors as relevant State policies, power
grid planning, demand for electricity consumption and local conditions for
electricity supply.
In areas where public power supply facilities are not yet available, the power
suppliers may commission those local units with electricity power supply
capability to provide power supply for the area. Unless duly commissioned by
the power suppliers, no unit may arbitrarily supply electricity to other units.
Article 21 When a rescue and relief operation needs emergency supply of
electricity, the power supplier must arrange electricity supply as quickly as
possible. Costs of emergency electricity supply project and electricity fees
payable shall be paid by the relevant local people's government from funds
allocated for rescue and relief operations; however, the users shall pay the
electricity fees for power used by them in fighting drought.
Article 22 If a user has special requirement on the quality of electricity
supply, the power supplier shall, according to its degree of necessity and the
capacity of the power grid, supply electricity, accordingly.
Article 23 In applying for new supply, temporary supply and additional supply
of electricity as well as the change and termination of electricity supply, the
applicants shall fulfill necessary procedures with local power suppliers, and
pay fees therefor according to relevant State regulations; if a power supplier
has no justified reason for refusing to provide such electricity supply, it
shall supply electricity as required. Power suppliers shall, at their places of
business, make public the procedures, rules and fee standard on the supply of
electricity.
Article 24 Power suppliers shall, in accordance with State standards or the
electric power industrial standard, participate in examining and verifying the
design drawings of the users' power-receiving facilities, supervise the
construction of the users' hidden power-receiving installation, and inspect and
test such power-receiving installations after completion; such installations
shall be put into use only after having been inspected and verified as up to
required standards.
Article 25 Power suppliers shall adopt a category-specified electricity price
system and an hour-specified electricity price system according to relevant State
regulations.
Article 26 Users shall install power meters to measure their electricity
consumption. The electric power and volume consumed by each user shall be the
amount as indicated by such power meter, which has been certified by the
official metrological inspection unit, according to law. The meter for
measuring electricity consumption shall be installed at the point dividing the
property rights of installations of the power suppliers from that of the
power-receivers.
The users shall be responsible for the protection of outdoor power meter
installations.
Article 27 The power suppliers shall compute and collect electricity fees from
users according to the electricity price approved by the State and the records
of power consumed as indicated by the power meters.
All users shall pay their electricity fees, according to the electricity price
approved by the State and the prescribed method, form and date of payment as
stipulated in the contract.
Article 28 Unless stipulated otherwise in these Regulations, the power
suppliers shall, under the normal operation of their electricity generating and
supply systems, supply electricity to the users continuously; If the suppliers
are compelled to suspend their electricity supply due to certain causes, the suppliers
shall notify the users in advance or publish open notice according to the
following provisions:
1. If it is necessary to suspend electricity supply due to scheduled overhaul
of power supply facilities, the power suppliers shall notify the users or publish
open notice 7 days in advance;
2. If it is necessary to suspend electricity supply due to unscheduled check
and repair of power supply facilities, the power suppliers shall notify the
users or publish open notice 24 hours in advance; and
3. If it is necessary to suspend or reduce electricity supply due to a
breakdown of the electricity generating or supply system, the power suppliers
shall suspend or reduce power supply, according to a pre-scheduled
power-supply-cut program. When the cause prompting power supply suspension or
reduction is eliminated, the power suppliers shall resume electricity supply as
soon as possible.
Chapter V Electric Power Consumption
Article 29 The administrative departments of electric power at or above the
county level shall, according to the State's industrial policy, properly
arrange the planned utilization of electric power by taking into consideration
the needs and priorities of various sectors, while ensuring adequate supply for
the key users and the successful economic units.
The power suppliers and users shall work out plans on the economic use of
electricity and on popularizing and adopting new technology, new materials, new
techniques and new equipment to improve energy conservation so as to reduce the
consumption of electric power.
The power suppliers and users shall adopt advanced technology and take
scientific measures to ensure safety in the supply and consumption of
electricity, so as to prevent the occurrence of accidents and protect the
public community.
Article 30 The users may not commit any of the following acts that endanger the
safety in power supply and utilization or disrupt the normal order of
electricity supply and consumption:
1. To arbitrarily change the specified category of electricity consumption;
2. To arbitrarily exceed the capacity of electricity consumption;
3. To arbitrarily exceed the specified electricity consumption quotas;
4. To arbitrarily re-use those electric power facilities, the use of which has
previously been suspended under procedures registered with the power suppliers,
or again use without approval, those electric power facilities already sealed
up by the power suppliers;
5. To relocate or alter without approval, or operate without approval the power
meters, power load control apparatus or power supply facilities owned by the
power suppliers or such power-receiving facilities of the users, owned by users
but placed under the control of the power suppliers; or
6. To arbitrarily add an outlet or inlet to power sources or hook-up the
self-owned power generator into the power grid without approval by the power
suppliers.
Article 31 Any act to steal electricity is forbidden. The acts in stealing
electricity include:
1. To arbitrarily connect lines to the power supply facilities of the power
suppliers to consume electricity;
2. To consume electricity through bypassing the power meter installed by the
power suppliers;
3. To falsify or open the official seal on power meters, affixed by the
authorized metrological inspection units, to consume electricity;
4. To deliberately damage the power meters installed by the power suppliers;
5. To deliberately cause the power meter to malfunction or become inaccurate;
and
6. To steal electricity by any other means.
Chapter VI Electric Power Supply Contract
Article 32 The power suppliers and users shall, based on the demand of the
users and the supply capacity of the power suppliers, sign electricity supply
and consumption contracts prior to commencing the supply of electricity.
Article 33 An electricity supply and consumption contract shall contain the
following clauses:
1. Method, quality and time of electricity supply;
2. Amount of electricity to be consumed, place where electricity is to be
supplied to and consumed and the specific category of electricity consumption;
3. Metrological standard and settlement method of electricity consumption and
fees;
4. Division of responsibility for the maintenance of power supply and
consumption facilities;
5. Term of validity of the contract;
6. Responsibility for breach of the contract; and
7. Other clauses deemed necessary by both parties.
Article 34 The power suppliers shall, according to the quantity, quality, time
and method as stipulated in the contracts, duly distribute and supply
electricity to the user with guaranteed safety.
The users shall consume electricity at the quantity and terms stipulated in the
contracts, and duly pay electricity fees and other fees prescribed by the
State.
Article 35 Any change or dissolution of power supply and consumption contracts
shall be handled according to the provisions of relevant laws, administrative
regulations and these Regulations.
Chapter VII Supervision and Control
Article 36 Administrative departments of electric power shall strengthen their
supervision and control over electric power supply and consumption. The
supervisors and inspectors for electricity supply and consumption must meet the
corresponding qualification requirements. When performing the duty of
supervision and inspection, the supervisors and inspectors shall produce their
certificates.
Specific measures on the management of electricity supply and utilization shall
be drafted by the administrative department of electric power separately.
Article 37 Electricians, are engaged to work on the power-receiving facilities
of the users, must first be examined and qualified by the administrative
departments of electric power, which will then issue them the
"Electrician's Permit for Operation."
To undertake installation, maintenance or testing of power supply and
power-receiving facilities, entities must pass the appraisal of the
administrative department of electric power and obtain a Permit for Undertaking
Installation (Maintenance) of Electric Power Facilities therefrom.
Chapter VIII Legal Liability
Article 38 Any one who, in violation of these Regulations, commits any of the
following acts, shall be ordered by the administrative department of electric
power to make correction, and hand in its illegal proceeds, which will be
confiscated; it may be further fined up to five times its illegal proceeds:
1. engaging in electricity supply business without having first obtained a
Permit for Electricity Supply according to regulations;
2. supplying electricity to another electric power supply area or across such
areas without official approval;
3. lending electricity supply to other units without official approval.
Article 39 In case that any one fails to pay electricity fees within the
prescribed time limit, in violation of the provisions of Article 27 of these
Regulations, the power supplier may, from the first date overdue payment,
charge a daily overdue fine at 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent of the total amount
of electricity fees payable; the specific percentage for the overdue fine shall
be specified in the power supply and consumption contract by the supplying and
consuming parties. If the user, after being urged to pay, still fails to pay
its electricity fees, which are 30 days overdue, the power supplier may suspend
its electricity supply, according to the procedures prescribed by the State.
Article 40 In case that any one uses electricity in such a way that violates
the provisions of Article 30 of these Regulations, the power supplier may,
according to the acts of such violation and the consequence caused thereby,
press for the payment of electricity fees, and charge extra electricity fees
and other costs according to the stipulations of the administrative department
of electric power of the State Council; and may even stop its electricity supply,
according to the procedures prescribed by the State, if the case is of a
serious nature.
Article 41 Any one who stills electric power in violation of the provisions of
Article 31 of these Regulations, shall be ordered to stop such illegal
activities by the administrative department of electric power, make up the
necessary payment of electricity fees, and further pay a fine up to five times
the amount of electricity fees payable; if any criminal activity is involved,
the case shall be prosecuted according to law.
Article 42 If a power supplier or user violates the power supply and
consumption contract, thereby causing losses to the other party, the party
breaching the contract shall be held responsible for making compensation
according to law.
Article 43 If an accidental breakdown of electric power operation causes
damages or losses to the users or any third party, the power supplier shall be
held responsible for making compensation therefor according to law.
If damages or losses are caused to the power supplier or other users, through
the fault of a user or a third party, the said user or third party shall be
held responsible for making compensation therefor according to law.
Article 44 If a staff member or worker of the power supplier violates rules and
regulations, thereby causing an electricity supply accident, or such person
abuses his or her power, or uses his or her position for personal gains, an
administrative penalty shall be given to the said person; and if the said
violation or power abuse constitutes a crime, the case shall be prosecuted
according to law.
Chapter IX Supplementary Provisions
Article 45 These Regulations shall come into force as from September 1, 1996.