Levy on open access power consumers up

Ludhiana, January 15

The open access (OA) consumers, who purchase power from other sources, would have to pay additional surcharge at the rate of Rs 1.23 per kWh for the period October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.

Till now, these consumers were being charged at the previous rate of Rs 1.145 per kWh as the revised surcharge was not finalised by the Punjab State Energy Regulatory Commission (PSERC).

In its commercial circular, the PSPCL chief engineer said the PSERC decided the revised rate of additional surcharge for 3rd and 4th quarters of the current financial year on December 9, 2020, and the order would have an overriding effect on the commission’s orders issued on September 30, 2020.

Accordingly, the full and partial OA consumers who were availing open access over and above their contract demand maintained with the distribution licensee (PSPCL) would be have to pay additional surcharge of Rs 1.23 per kWh, whereas the partial OA consumers would pay additional surcharge of Rs 0.86 per kWh to avail OA up to their contract demand.

The circular states that this additional surcharge shall be levied on the consumers situated within the area of supply of PSPCL on the actual open access power brought by them from sources other than PSPCL, subject to the condition that the contract capacity of PSPCL continues to remain stranded during this period.

The PSPCL said review of security (consumption) of all categories for current fiscal has been deferred. — OC