Haryana power regulatory panel stresses on efficiency, reducing costs

The Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), Nand Lal Sharma, emphasised the need of enhancing efficiency, reduce costs, and bring qualitative improvements in services provided to electricity consumers. He said accurate assessment of electricity demand must be ensured to facilitate procurement of affordable power, thereby enabling reliable and economical supply to consumers. He reiterated that the commission remained fully committed to improving consumer services.

Sharma was presiding over a public hearing held at Skylark’s Multipurpose Hall in Panipat in connection with the petition filed by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) before the HERC for the financial year 2026–27.

On the occasion, commission members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar, HERC Secretary Prashant Deshta, UHBVN Director Anil Kumar Yadav, SE Dharam Suhag, SE Puneet Kundu, HERC Deputy Director (media) Pradeep Malik along with senior officials of HERC and UHBVN, were present. A large number of stakeholders, particularly industrial entrepreneurs from Panipat, also participated and presented their suggestions and comments, which were duly recorded by the commission.

The Chairman highlighted the need to explore alternative energy sources such as solar power more extensively. He also underlined the importance of battery energy storage systems, noting that although they were at present expensive, their costs were expected to decline in future. Referring to the growing demand for nuclear and hydrogen energy, he said these could emerge as significant energy options in the coming years.

He further observed that the consumers might eventually have the option to change service providers, which would enhance competition in the power sector.

The Chairman emphasised that under the Electricity Act, 2003, the consumer suggestions played a vital role in the commission’s decision-making process. Therefore, the commission was engaging directly with the consumers through field interactions. He assured that the feedback received during the hearing would be reflected in the forthcoming Tariff Order.

An SE of UHBVN said the state ae present had 8,379,739 electricity consumers, of which 3,867,120 fell under the UHBVN and 4,512,619 under the DHBVN. The UHBVN’s distribution losses stand at 9.33 per cent. It was further said the average cost of supply was Rs 8.09 per unit, while the revenue realisation was Rs 7.10 per unit. A total of 487,000 smart meters have been installed in Panipat, Panchkula and Karnal. During the hearing, it was also noted that Haryana’s per capita annual electricity consumption was nearly 2,200 units, significantly higher than the national average of 1,460 units.