Your power bills might go straight through the roof if petitions by the
three power distribution companies on the tariff are cleared by the
Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).
BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, BSES Yamuna Power Limited and Tata
Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) — have asked the commission
for a full power purchase adjustment charges (PPAC).
This means that apart from the yearly increase of 13% sought by BYPL,
which supplies electricity to east and central Delhi, 2% by BRPL (south
and west Delhi) and 6.6% sought by TPDDL, which supplies power to north
Delhi, they have also asked for a quarterly increase depending on the
rate at which they have procured power.
Discoms have taken the plea that 17 states have already adopted the
PPAC model in determining the tariff. DERC, which is reviewing the
petitions, is yet to take a call on the matter.
“We had adopted the PPAC mechanism last year but this year we are
reviewing it. If full PPAC is given to the discoms, it can increase
power bills to the tune of 25% to 30%. For instance, the fixed tariff
would be 13% in case of BYPL for the year and an additional 10% increase
would mean in reality the tariff would be 26%. This will burden the
consumers,” said a senior DERC official.
According to discoms, a fixed power tariff is unacceptable as during
the course of a year power purchase costs keep varying. And many a time,
the purchase cost is much more than what is fixed by the DERC.
“This is why we want a full PPAC so that if we buy costly power, we
can charge that amount to the consumers in the next quarter. DERC had
adopted this mechanism last year,” said a discom official.
Sources said the DERC is planning to come up with a comprehensive
fixed tariff so that no additional cost has to be taken into
consideration. Discoms have cited increase in cost of power purchase and
their failure to recover dues for the need to raise tariff. The new
tariffs will be applicable from July 1.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK
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