Tuesday, May 15, 2012

New tariff order to mandate use of 2% green energy


NEW DELHI: Alongside the revised domestic tariff for financial year 2012-13, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) is all set to start the process for green energy. In the upcoming tariff order, the regulator is going to announce a 2% renewable energy obligation for Delhi discoms, a move which has already been delayed considerably and has many consumers worried about the costs involved.
It means that discoms will be obliged to procure a mandatory 2% power through renewable energy sources like sun, wind, geo-thermal, municipal waste, among others. Out of this 2%, procuring 0.1% solar power is mandated and the rest can be from various sources. Already, many states in the country like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are harnessing a considerably quantum of renewable energy.
Apart from views on domestic tariff, the regulator had also sought opinions and feedback from consumers on solar tariff as it is all set to become a reality. While some consumers expressed worry that the 2% RPO could become a costly proposition for them, the consensus in the hearing was in favour. "Stakeholders more or less realized that renewable energy has to be promoted and is part of the national policy. The cost is also coming down and solar energy, for example, is becoming competitive and has gone down from Rs 18 per unit to about Rs 8-9 per unit,'' an official said.
Discoms said that while they were all for renewable energy, procurement of 0.1% solar energycould be a problem depending on availability, and should be done in phases. They asked the regulator to urge the government to bring out a rooftop policy.

with thanks : times of India : LINK for detailed news.

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