Exemption from cross-subsidy surcharge sought for solar power projects
Several agencies and institutions of State and Central governments have requested the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) to bring down the retail power supply tariff proposed by the two distribution companies for 2018-19, which retained the current year tariff, stating that it is comparably high.
They also want the regulatory body, scheduled to conduct a public hearing here on Monday, either to waive or reduce the cross-subsidy surcharge levied on them. Central Government institutions such as South Central Railway, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and Indian Energy Exchange Ltd., State Government agencies like Telangana State Road Transport Corporation and Irrigation Department have sought reduction in the tariff.
Besides, 34 individuals, other establishments such as Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Centre for Power Studies, People’s Monitoring Group, Kisan Kheth Mazdoor Congress, Rice Millers Association and others have also petitioned the regulatory body to slash the tariff proposed by the Discoms.
Pointing out the discriminatory policy of the Discoms, the SCR, indicating that it would go for open access power by March 2022, sought reduction in the tariff at least to the level it is being offered in neighbouring States such as AP. The public transporter and goods carrier also noted that it would also support the grid stability with large-scale consumption during the off-peak periods.
“Charging such higher tariff from the Railways is irrational and unjustified”, Chief Electrical Distribution Engineer of SCR G.V. Mallikarjuna Rao said in the petition. The SCR has also sought unified tariff for non-traction purposes as was being done in Maharashtra. Making a note of lower tariff offered to Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd. the SCR wants at least similar tariff.
The Irrigation Department has sought reduction both in demand and energy charges at least by 10% as it was going to be one of the major consumers in the coming years with increase in the load capacity of lift irrigation projects from the existing 1,200 MW to about 10,000 MW by 2020. Engineer-in-Chief C. Muralidhar requested the TSERC to set promotional tariff for lift irrigation schemes considering HT consumption.
Asking the regulatory body to rationalise the cross-subsidy surcharge FTAPCCI also wants it to disallow the additional surcharge proposed by the Discoms as it has no justification. The body pointed out that interest on delayed payments proposed by the Discoms at 18% is exorbitant and suggested the utilities to extend load factor incentives by encouraging the consumers to increase load.
Meanwhile, Telangana Solar Open Access Developer Association has requested the regulatory body to exempt the solar power projects from cross-subsidy surcharge, additional surcharge and time of day (ToD) levy.
Source: thehindu
