SAUDI EXPATRIATES

Following a review of the specifics of each violation, these revisions bring about harsher punishments and more modernized methods for determining appropriate fines.

The authority stressed that when deciding on punishments, the severity of the offense and any aggravating factors must be considered.

Those found guilty of tampering with power meters are subject to fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 Saudi Riyals. Breaker capacities between 100 and 150 amps will result in a punishment of 15,000 riyals, up from the initial SR5,000 for capacities of 100 amps or lower. If the electrical breaker capacity is between 150 and 400 amps, the fee is 50,000 Saudi Riyals; if it's over 400 amps, the charge rises to SR100,000.

According to the changes, a fine of SR 50,000 will be imposed on anyone who tampers with an electrical meter or any of its parts without owning the account or being a legitimate beneficiary. If the offense has occurred more than twice or the severity of the impacts is confirmed, the competent committee can increase this amount. Recommend: Ceasefire in Gaza and an establishment of a Palestinian state are the priorities of Saudi Arabia

A fine of 20,000 riyals is levied for failing to execute the authority's directives regarding handling complaints, and a fine of up to 100,000 riyals is levied for the licensee's failure to cooperate in providing the authority with the necessary information. The amendments cover ten basic violations, as noted by the authority.

In addition, the licensee is now required to adhere to the authority's performance standards or face a fine of SR50,000. The fine for missing the statutory deadlines for electrical services provided to consumers is 2,000 riyals, and the penalty for failing to comply with these standards is SR50,000.

New infractions include, among other things, a failure to adhere to the regulations governing electric vehicle charging operations and small-scale photovoltaic solar energy systems; a fine of 3000 riyals is imposed for each of these infractions.

Repair expenses and compensation for lost benefits to the utility or third parties caused by electrical meter tampering are both addressed by the authority's modified regulations. If the beneficiary causes the meter or its accessories to malfunction, interrupt, or reduce power usage, they must pay for the unregistered consumption and repair costs.

Depending on the breaker's amperage capacity—which might be anything from 100 to 400 volts—the fixed value of repair costs and missed utility for residential use can range from SR250 to SR1,150, assuming that meter replacement is not necessary. See Also: Is it possible to return on a new visa after final exit? Jawazat response

If the meter needs replacing, the fine may be SR1,150 to SR4,050, depending on the same capacity. A fee of SR300 to SR2,050 applies to non-residential consumption incidents that necessitate meter replacement; a fine of SR1,150 to SR4,950 applies in cases when meter replacement is not necessary.

The beneficiary is liable for the unrecorded consumption, the cost of fixing any damage to the grid or any of its accessories, regardless of the diameter of the connecting cable, and any additional expenses incurred as a result, according to a new article that was added as an amendment. The fines for the residential sector in this case are between 1,300 and 17,000 SR, while the fines for the non-residential sector are between 1,700 and 33,000 SR.

Following completion of documentation procedures, the service provider is additionally obligated to remove the violation and restore any damage that may have resulted from it, as per the amendments.

In addition, the service provider must follow all applicable legal processes and report the infringement to the appropriate authorities to recover damages for repairs and utility advantages lost due to the violation. Recommend: How to use free Saudi stopover visa