CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved Tangedco‘s demand for additional surcharge of Rs 0.83 for energy sourced by industries in open access (through exchanges and third parties) for the period between February 25 and March 31.
However, TNERC rejected Tangedco’s proposal to levy the additional surcharge of Rs 0.88 retrospectively from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
Tamil Nadu spinning mills association chief adviser Dr K Venkatachalam said the commission has directed Tangedco to file a petition for fixing the additional surcharge on a six-monthly basis regularly hereafter. He said the levy of the surcharge would continue as such either at the same rate or at a different rate for every six months. Industries buy electricity from the exchange and third parties when it is available for a lower price than charged by Tangedco. So, the discom levies various charges on the industries for using the utility’s infrastructure.
The additional surcharge for the period from October 2022 to March 2023 was proposed based on the data for the corresponding period last year, Tangedco has stated in the petition.
Between October 2021 and March 2022, 129.63 crore has been collected as additional surcharge.
“The Electricity (Amendment) Rules 2023 is attempted to be brought in by the ministry of power and already comments have been called for and the matter is waiting for a gazette notification. Once it comes into force, levy of additional surcharge may not happen on the renewable power sourced through open access. However, we have to wait and see,” said Venkatachalam.
However, TNERC rejected Tangedco’s proposal to levy the additional surcharge of Rs 0.88 retrospectively from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
Tamil Nadu spinning mills association chief adviser Dr K Venkatachalam said the commission has directed Tangedco to file a petition for fixing the additional surcharge on a six-monthly basis regularly hereafter. He said the levy of the surcharge would continue as such either at the same rate or at a different rate for every six months. Industries buy electricity from the exchange and third parties when it is available for a lower price than charged by Tangedco. So, the discom levies various charges on the industries for using the utility’s infrastructure.
The additional surcharge for the period from October 2022 to March 2023 was proposed based on the data for the corresponding period last year, Tangedco has stated in the petition.
Between October 2021 and March 2022, 129.63 crore has been collected as additional surcharge.
“The Electricity (Amendment) Rules 2023 is attempted to be brought in by the ministry of power and already comments have been called for and the matter is waiting for a gazette notification. Once it comes into force, levy of additional surcharge may not happen on the renewable power sourced through open access. However, we have to wait and see,” said Venkatachalam.