DVC seeks 51% hike in power tariff for 2014-15

Reasons cited by the PSU include coal prices, proposed escalation of fixed cost of company's generating stations

State-run Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has sought a sharp hike in power tariff for the current fiscal and the next two years.

In its multi-year tariff petition to the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC), DVC has demanded an average tariff of Rs 6.38 per unit for 2014-15, a jump of 51.5% as compared to the 2013-14 tariff of Rs 4.21 per unit.

DVC sources told PTI that the tariff petition has been filed with WBERC for a period of three years -- 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

The power company has sought Rs 7.10 per unit for 2015-16, a rise of 11.2% over 2014-15. While, for the third year, it has demanded a tariff of Rs 8.81 per unit, another 24% rise over 2015-16.

If the terminal year's (2016-17) tariff is compared with the last fiscal (2013-14) rate, then it comes out to be more than 100% rise.

DVC supplies bulk power at 25 KV to Railways; 33 KV, 132 KV and 220 KV to different industries and distributing licensees; exports electricity to regions and also supplies power to the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.

The reasons which the PSU cited to justify its hike include increase in coal prices, proposed escalation of fixed cost of DVC's generating stations and T&D system and phasing out of some old power plants during 2016-17.

Meanwhile, the DVC tariff for the period 2009-10 to 2013-14 has not yet been cleared by WBERC and provisional current billing rates were based on the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission order.