Hon’ble KERC rejected deterring demands of DISCOMs for Renewable Base Open Access in Karnataka – EQ Mag
In a battle to gain monopoly in Power Supply Market in the C&I segment the DiSCOMs have been demanding for various regulatory amendments like Steep Rise in the Fixed Charges and reduction in variable Tariffs, Change in the TOD slots and making generating hours of renewables as off peak in place of presently Normal Hours and demand of imposition of grid support / parallel operation charges on Captive Power Consumption.
The DiSCOMS of Karnataka also proposed for such regulatory changes in the recent retail tariff petition filed in the Hon’ble Commission. The matter came up for hearing in the month of February and March.
The same was objected by the consumers and the specially the Renewable Energy Generators who claimed this to be a direct attack on the open access from the renewable energy in the state by the DISCOMs.
In the recent order issued by the Hon’ble KERC taking a very judicious view in the larger public interest and the interest of the growth of renewable energy generation and consumption for the C&I consumers for their sustainability compliance the Commission has denied that demand of the DiSCOMs on these points and has ordered that:
MATTER OF INCREASE OF FIXED CHARGES : In view of the above, the Commission is not in favour of BESCOM’s submission for substantially increasing the fixed charges at one go and reduce the energy charges. Hence, the Commission has considered a moderate increase in fixed charges to all the category of consumers, so as to ensure gradual increase in the fixed costs as envisaged in the Tariff Policy of the GoI.
MATTER OF CHANGE OF TOD SLOTS : In the absence of any justifiable data and the opinion submitted by SLDC on the revised ToD tariff proposal of ESCOMs and by considering the surplus power situation in the State, the Commission decided to continue with the existing approved ToD Tariff.
Parallel Operation Charges / Grid Support Charges proposal for captive power plants : As such the Commission decides to take up the issue after conducting a detailed study and analysis on the subject. While talking to one of the key Objector, RE developer and sustainability partner to C&I in this matter who made a detailed argument has expressed a sense of relief and has reiterated that the Hon’ble KERC has really taken a very judicious view on the same and will help in overall growth of the sector. He also added that arguments have been extended in the matter of parallel operation charges / grid support charges and he is optimistic that commission will take a view in line with the law and orders in this matter from the hon’ble APTEL. He concluded that it would give a boost to the Renewable Energy Sector and Sustainability Compliance in the state.
