ToD tariff inevitable, says KERC chief

It is aimed at discouraging consumption of electricity during peak hours

Time of Day (ToD) tariff has been made compulsory for HT-2a and HT-2b consumers with a contract demand of 500 kVA and above, with effect from September 1, 2012, by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) in its tariff order dated April 30, 2012. 

Addressing the consumers, at a discussion on ‘Time of tariff implementation,’ organised by MESCOM here on Friday, KERC Chairperson M R Srinivasmurthy said there are 140 consumers who come under HT-2a and HT-2b in Mescom limits, who contribute about 25 per cent of the power consumption.

In the tariff order dated September 27, 2005, the KERC had introduced ToD tariff as an optional to HT-1 (water supply), HT-2a (industrial) and LT-5 consumers. For LT-5 (LT industrial) and HT-1 (water supply) consumer, the optional ToD will be continue as existing.

He said it was easy to reduce the electricity production when the demand reduces, when the state was depending on hydro electricity. However, with the thermal power plants generating electricity, it is not easy to reduce the production suddenly. Hence, ToD is inevitable, to balance the demand for electrcity during peak hours and non-peak hours.

MESCOM Managing Director Vijaynarasimha said that the metering for ToD will be completed by the month end. There will be no additional charges to be paid by the consumers, to change the metres. The metres will be replaced by the Mescom.

Earlier, while making a presentation on ToD, Mescom Technical Advisor Jayaram Alva said the ToD is required to tackle peak shortage and energy shortages and will improve load reliability.

It will also improve the system load factor by reducing the demand during peak period. It will be an incentive to consumers for shifting portion of their loads from peak time to off peak time.
It is aimed at discouraging consumption of electricity during the peak hours and promoting consumption during off peak hours.

The consumers covered by the ToD tariff have to pay Re 1 extra per unit for the electricity consumed between 6 pm and 10 pm. They will get a rebate of Rs 1.25/unit for the electricity consumed between 10 pm and 6 am.

This will greatly help the Escoms to manage their supply by minimising the need for load shedding during peak hours, he added.

Consumers speak

Shantharaj Aithal of Mescom said that a majority of the reservoirs are filled with silt.
“Hence, the storage capacity of water is less in the dams. If the silt is removed, then the production capacity can be improved,” he said.

NMPT Executive Engineer said that NMPT does not have processing units. But lighting load during peak hour can not be cut off in its limit. “The KERC should relook into the charges made during peak period.”

Ramakrishna from MRPL said that the MRPL had opted for ToD two years ago. “The MRPL could save upto Rs 35 lakh in its electricity bill per year. Moreover, energy efficiency methods should be deployed to save energy.”

Welcoming the move of KERC to implement ToD, Diwakar from KIOCL said “KIOCL has gone for ToD and we could save upto Rs 40,000 per month.”

Consumer Narayana said that several farmers use pumpsets during peak hours after the power is supplied free of cost for the pumpsets. Hence, there is a need to give rebate for those who do not run pumpsets during peak hours. Auto solar switch for streetlights should be installed to automatically switch off the streetlights, he added.

‘No move to introduce differential tariffs’

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission chairperson M R Srinivasmurthy said that the KERC does not have any proposal to introduce differential tariffs for all the Escoms in the state.

When asked on pre paid metres, he said that pre paid metres are a good idea and Escoms are free to adopt it. “The Commission will not object to it.”