 "Delhi power bills to go up by 5-20%")
According to senior executives in the three distribution companies operating in the national capital, the likely hike in consumer tariff across the board would be five to 20 per cent.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited had filed a case against Derc, which rolled back its tariff hike in less than 24 hours, in November last year ahead of Assembly elections. The hike was proposed owing to an increase in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC) — a surcharge given to compensate the distribution companies for variations in the market-driven fuel costs (additional costs on account of increase in coal and gas prices).
In its judgment, Aptel observed, “Petitioner (TPDDL) is already suffering huge financial crunch, firstly, on account of non-determination of PPAC on time-bound basis, and secondly, arising out of the revenue gap of Rs 2,359 crore which is well acknowledged by the Derc… The Petitioner finds it very difficult to wait for hearing and conclusion of the tariff proceedings and ultimately tariff determination for the year 2015-16.”
Taking a stern stand, Aptel ordered, “We direct the Delhi Commission to determine the PPAC for the above said third and fourth quarter within three weeks from today otherwise face the five consequences and action will be taken by this Tribunal.”
For TPDDL consumers, the hike would be five to 10 per cent and for BSES (both BRPL & BYPL) consumers, it would lead to increase in five to 20 per cent, said executives. The current average rate of electricity in Delhi is Rs 2.8 per unit while the power purchase cost has gone up to Rs 5 per unit.
The three discoms — TPDDL, BRPL and BYPL had requested a hike of 7.42 per cent, 7.26 per cent and 17.01 per cent, respectively, last year in November. Derc in its notification dated 13 November 2014 approved a tariff hike on the total monthly bill in range of 4.5 per cent to seven per cent. This was rolled back and for past two quarters, no hike has been approved.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party halved the power bills of Delhi consumers according to their poll promise in February after they came to power. The reduction would now be on the increased rates, said executives in the distribution companies.
The combined financial loss of Delhi's three power distribution companies was Rs 22,000 crore in 2012-13 when the state government provided a subsidy of Rs 118 crore to them.
DELHI DRAMA ON POWER
- DERC last increased tariff in August 2014 by 22% to an average of Rs 2.8 per unit
- Another round of hike of 7% in November owing to power procurement cost going up. It was rolled back a day later
- After coming back to power, AAP reduced power tariff to half for 0-400 units consumption
- Delhi has the lowest average power tariff in the country, at Rs 2.8 per unit
- Delhi has three power distribution companies – Reliance Power promoted BSES Yamuna Power Limited, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Company
- The government of NCT of Delhi has 49% stake in all discoms