Power Tariff In Odisha To Go Up From April 4; Know Revised Rates

Bhubaneswar: Taking into account the commercial viability and operational efficiency of the generation, transmission, supply and distribution utilities of the state, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Saturday approved a proposal for a hike in the power tariff for the year 2021-22.

The revised power tariff in the state will come into effect from April 4. The tariif has been increased from Rs 2.70 to Rs 3 per 1-50 units, Rs 4.50 to Rs 4.80 per 51-200 units, Rs 5.50 to Rs 5.80 per 201-400 units, and Rs 5.90 to Rs 6.20 per more than 400 units.

The retail supply tariff order has the following features:

—The tariff for BPL and irrigation consumers has remained unchanged.

—There is no change in monthly minimum fixed charge (MMFC), demand charge and meter rent.

—There is a minimal rise of 30 paise per kilowatt hour (kWh)/kilo volt ampere hour (kVAh) in energy charge for all other category of consumers. This amounts only to 5.60% rise in the overall retail supply tariff.

—The kVAh billing introduced for all High Tension (HT) and Extra-High Tension (EHT) consumers.

—Power factor penalty incentive and reliability surcharge are abolished.

—2% rebate over and above normal rebate shall be allowed on the bill to the Low Tension (LT) domestic and single-phase general purpose category of consumers only who pay through digital means. This rebate shall be applicable on the current month bill if paid in full.

—2% rebate shall be allowed to all pre-paid consumers on pre-paid amount

—Charging of electric vehicles shall be treated as General Purpose (GP) category. This category relates to the supply of power to premises, which are used for office, business, general purpose or other purposes not covered under any other category where the non-domestic load exceeds 20% of the total connected load.

The Commission has passed orders on retail supply tariff of the distribution companies (DISCOMS), the bulk supply price of Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO), transmission tariff of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), generation tariff of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) and State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) charges for 2021-22 financial year.