No change in power tariff for 2014-15 fiscal: OERC

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Apr 26, 2014 at 6:24 PM Updated On : Apr 26, 2014 at 6:36 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 26:

The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) in a release today said there would be no change in Retail Supply Tariff (RST) in the state for all classes of consumers during 2014-15 fiscal.

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The Commission, which could not notify electricity tariff proceedings that it had completed on March 22 in view of model code of conduct, finally came up with its notice today after end of the general elections and re-polling in the state yesterday.

According to the release, the RST has remained same as was in 2013-14 fiscal.

Though the distribution companies (DISCOMs) have projected a higher level of distribution loss of 32.04 percent, the Commission has considered average distribution loss of 21.38 percent for determination of RST for consumers of the state. However, DISCOMs are directed to implement smart metering schemes, energy audit, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) on pilot basis in their respective area, the release said.

As decided, the average Bulk Supply Price (BSP) of the Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO) has been reduced of about 2 paise per unit in view of the reduction in power purchase cost from the generators as compared to last year.

The average BSP is computed at 263.21 paise per unit for the 2014-15 fiscal as compared to 265.27 paise per unit last year.

However, there is an increase in the average generation tariff of the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) power stations (except Chiplima and Indravati) mainly due to increase in operation and maintenance expenditures.

The average generation tariff of all OHPC stations has been fixed at 83.02 paise per unit for 2014-15 fiscal against 70.77 paise per unit in the last fiscal.

The Commission has not approved for purchase of high cost of power from certain Central thermal power stations for state consumption as the low cost power is available from some Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the state.

However, depending on the commercial viability, GRIDCO may purchase the said high cost power and also power available from other sources after meeting the state demand for trading purpose. The revenue earned from such trading would wipe out the past liabilities of GRIDCO, the Commission has pointed out.

The Commission also informed that the transmission charge for the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) at 25 paise per unit has remained unchanged.

The Commission has approved a transmission loss of 3.75% in OPTCL system as against the loss of 3.80 percent approved in the last year.

However, there is a slight increase in state load despatch centre (SLDC) charges, the release added.