MPERC offers 10% reduction in power tariff to SEZ industries

MP Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) has offered 10% reduction in power tariff charged by AKVN Indore for power supplies to industries in SEZ Pithampur.

The respite comes in the wake of tariff petition filed by Pithampur Audyogik Sangthan for 2013-14. The commission had undertaken public hearing for this on September 2.

During the hearing, Sangthan had submitted objections against power tariff proposed by the corporation and commission admitted these pleas before offering 10% decrease in power tariff, the Sangthan said in a statement on Wednesday.

The fixed rental for 11KV consumers has been lowered to Rs 200 per month from Rs 250, while per unit power tariff has been lowered from Rs 4.30 to 3.90. Similarly, the 33 KV consumers would now be paying Rs 240 per month instead of Rs 290 and Rs 3.70 per unit as compared to Rs 4.05 earlier.

Sangthan president Gautam Kothari and SEZ co-ordinator Dinesh Mishra informing this said that this would benefit industries. Total 30 consumers have high tension supply while 12 industries receive low tension supplies in Pithampur SEZ.

Out of the total 33MW power supplied to the SEZ, 18MW is sourced from NTPC at cost effective rates, said Kothari. He claimed that cheap power supply is the most prominent incentive for investor for establishing ventures at the Pithampur SEZ.

Besides, an appeal filed by AKVN with Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi against MPERC verdict would be taken up for hearing later this month. The commission had ordered AKVN Indore for adjustment of excess recovery of power bills in consumers' account last year.