APERC to address Parliamentary Committee

Hyderabad, June 22 (INN): Heeding to the request of Members of the State Advisory Committee (SAC) constituted for advising the AP Electricity Regulator Commission in its functioning and major policy decisions, the APERC has decided to suggest the Parliamentary Committee on amendment of Electricity Act 2003, to include the provisions with regard to safety aspects and compensation payable in case of electrical accidents in the purview of the standards of performance of the utilities, so as to enable the APERC to issue regulations and guidelines.

Disclosing the above, during the third meeting of SAC held today, to discuss on the overall scenario of the Power sector and suggestions for effective regulatory performance by the Commission, Chairman APERC, Justice G. Bhavani Prasad, has said that the Commission is functioning with Twin objectives of protecting the Rights of consumers and safe guarding the financial wellness of the DISCOMS and all out efforts are being made to achieve it. The Chairman along with Members of APERC P. Raghu and P. Rammohan have appreciated the services of Members of SAC for their valuable suggestions. For the first time in the history of regulatory regime, the Commission has written to the State Govt seeking intervention and on several non tariff issues in response to public objections raised in recent public hearings held on tariff proceedings 2015-16.

Energy Secretary Ajay Jain, who has participated in the meeting on a special invitation, said that the ultimate motto of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Nadu is to make AP as a model state in Power sector and in this pursuit all the stake holders like APERC, power utilities, Consumer organizations have to work in co-ordination to achieve the desired goals. He thanked the Commission for its proactive role in issue of tariff order for the FY 2015-16, approval for DELP petition (distribution of LED bulbs), and other consumer pro activities. He further requested the Commission for disposal of Wind Tariff, Wind - Solar hybrid tariff. Another policy with regard to waste 'to heat recovery power projects tariff is likely to be submitted to the Commission.
He further said that, APERC is acting brilliantly in balancing the consumer interests, power utilities as well as the interests of Govt of AP. Secretary, Energy further said that the Govt of India has sanctioned around Rs. 333 Crs to AP for unemployed youth to setup 467 MW Solar Power in Agricultural sector. Around Rs. 330Crs have been sanctioned for electrification of around 5 Lakhs households under DDUGJY and Rs.217Crs have been sanctioned under IPDS Scheme for distribution infra structure development in Urban areas by the Govt of India.

K. Vijayanand, CMD APGENCO & APTRANSCO (FAC), said that on the occasion of expiry of 18 years tenure PPA for 217 MW Jerugupadu project of GVK Power and Infra Structure Ltd., on June 19th 2015, the utilities have issued a Buy-out notice to the firm. The utilities are striving hard to ensure 24 X 7 Quality and Reliable power supply to consumers along with 7hours power supply to agricultural sector.

Ranganatham, Advisor, Energy Dept, Mutyala Raju CMD/APEPDCL, H.Y.Dora CMD/APSPDCL and A. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, CEO/APSECM alongwith the other members of SAC have participated in the meeting and appreciated the commission in reducing the cost of DELP petition as well as recommending the enhancement of 7 Watts LED to 9 Watts LED to the consumers.