Odisha Energy Department Plea To OERC Against Power Tariff Hike This Fiscal

Bhubaneswar: After OPTCL proposed more than 50% hike in power tariff in financial year 2022-23, the Energy department has appealed to OERC against it.

During a hearing of the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) of Gridco before chairman of Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) Gajendra Mohapatra, the Energy department said the Commission should take into account the surplus revenue of discoms during the current year before taking a decision on hike in power tariff for financial year 2022-23.

The department also requested the OERC to consider the commercial viability of Gridco which is instrumental in meeting the state’s long-term energy security and development. The Commission should direct the discoms to bring down the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses so that consumers would get the benefit of low power tariff, it added.

Besides, the department said the rebate on intra-state transmission and wheeling charges on renewable energy should be withdrawn.

It may be noted that the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) submitted its ARR and transmission tariff application to the Commission on Thursday.

The OPTCL proposed its ARR of Rs 1247.14 crore to transmit an estimated energy of 28,517 MU through its network with an average transmission charge of 43.73 paise per unit during the fiscal at more than 50% rise over the charge in the last fiscal.

Also Read: OPTCL Proposes 50% Hike In Power Tariff In Odisha This Fiscal