No power cuts even if NTPC cuts supply over dues: BSES

As the state-run NTPC Ltd plans to cut supply to BSES discoms in eastern and central Delhi from Sunday midnight over non-payment of Rs 961.58 crore dues, power companies today said the move will not impact supply quantity as they have enough electricity at their disposal.
"The discoms have power storing arrangements. They will also purchase short-term power in case there emerges unforeseen situation at economical rates. Residents need not face power cuts. Meanwhile, we are making all the efforts to see the dues are cleared," a BSES official said.
The official further stated the power company is under "financial strain" due to non-liquidation of regulatory assets estimated to be over Rs 16,000 crore as on March 31.

On the other hand, he said, the dues to be paid to the NTPC's Aravali Power Company Private Limited (APCL), which supplies the power to the discoms, are to the tune of Rs 961.58 crore.
"A matter to this regard is pending before Supreme Court and we are awaiting its judgment. The judgment shall pave the way for liquidation of the assets and thereby, clear the dues," he added.
The NTPC Ltd had yesterday said a notice for regulation of power supply was served on Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group's BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), which will deprive Delhi of 445 MW of power with effect from 00:00 hrs of September 5.

"Despite clear directions of the Supreme Court, the dues continued to accumulate. Today, the outstanding amounts are Rs 961.58 crore (Rs.695.25 crore of BRPL & Rs.266.33 crore of (BYPL)," it had said.

APCPL, Jhajjar has been supplying power to BRPL and BYPL since March 5, 2011. It has allocated 445 MW power to the discoms, 372 MW to BRPL and 73 MW to BYPL and average monthly energy bill is about Rs 87 crore (Rs 73 crore to BRPL and Rs 14 crore to BYPL) for the current financial year.
The company had said the payments by the BSES discoms (power distribution companies) had become irregular for quite sometime.

In a meeting taken by Delhi Electricity Regulatory
Commission on May 16, both BRPL and BYPL had given plan for liquidation of outstanding dues based on which regulation notice issued by APCPL earlier on May 6 was withdrawn.
The company said APCPL has to pay in advance to its fuel suppliers which constitute about 70 to 80 per cent of its monthly energy bills.
"If the above situation continues, APCPL being a single power station company, is unable to meet any of its commitments inter alia including payment to fuel suppliers, debt servicing requirements and even payment of salaries to its employees.

"Under the circumstances, APCPL has no other option but to regulate power on the BSES discoms," it had said.