August 6, 2012. Delhi's power regulator has finalised a slew measures to improve the city's power distribution infrastructure, including appointment of consultants to ensure proper maintenance by private companies. As part of its effort to modernise the power sector, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has also decided to introduce a new system called time of the metering, under which tariff will be charged according to electricity consumption in peak and regular hours. The proposed mechanism -aimed at encouraging consumers to limit their power consumption in peak hours -is being introduced on a pilot basis. If implemented, Delhi will be the first state in the country to have such a metering system, which, experts said, would benefit everyone. Power distribution companies often have to procure additional power from the market at a high cost to meet the demand during peak hours (6 pm to 11 pm). The proposed system is being introduced to discourage commercial users from consuming more power during peak hours so that load shedding can be minimised in residential areas in summer, when the demand goes up substantially. The DERC has also decided to recognise National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratories in the city to check accuracy of meters.