To spur growth, power tariff rebate for industry

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 31

To revive the sagging economy hit by Covid, the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has decided to offer major rebate in power tariff to the industry, besides no hike for the domestic and agriculture sectors.

The HPERC today announced the power tariff for the financial year 2021-22. The commission has estimated an annual revenue requirement of Rs 6,080.88 crore for Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL). Since the government has made a provision of Rs 424.74 crore towards the subsidy for electricity consumption by domestic and agriculture consumers, the tariff for them will remain unchanged.

“The commission has decided to decrease the night-time charges across all categories of industrial consumers by 30 paisa per unit over and above the existing night-time rates,” said Pankaj Singh Kishtwaria, Executive Director (Tariff), HPERC. Also, there would be reduction in peak hour charges by 50 paisa per unit for industrial consumers.

Since 60 per cent of the total sale of power by the HPSEBL is consumed by the industry, it has been decided that the new industries, which will start production on or after June 1, 2021, the charges will be 15 per cent lower that the approved energy charges for that category for three years.

Besides, the existing industries, which will go in for expansion on or after June 1, too will be entitled to the discount for three years for quantum of energy consumption corresponding to the proportionate increase in the contract demand. The rebate on energy charges will be applicable during normal and peak hours and in case of night hours, night-time concession will be applicable.

“The commission believes that by not increasing the electricity rates for domestic consumers during Covid and by providing rebate to the industry, HP could attract the investment which will help generate employment avenues,” said Kishtwaria. He said the need to provide relief to the common man was also felt when the economy had been hit badly.

Rebate for existing industrial consumers

The Commission has approved the proposal of the HPSEBL to allow a rebate of 15% discount on energy charges for additional power consumption beyond the level of FY 2018-19 for existing Industrial units

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