The Hindu : Front Page : More high tension units in south seek power

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Thursday, Feb 04, 2010
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More high tension units in south seek power

R. Sairam

New scheme helps in bringing down power costs as private players cut charges

MADURAI: The number of high tension (HT) consumers seeking additional power from Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) by paying additional charges has increased in southern districts.

The new scheme of power supply by levying reliability charge not exceeding Rs. 7 per unit saw 233 HT units sign up in February compared to 203 in January, TNEB sources in the Madurai Region told The Hindu on Tuesday.

(The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) on January 4 approved the TNEB proposal of levying the reliability charge.)

This scheme had brought down the electricity costs of companies as private power producers had reduced their costs to remain competitive, sources said.

The Madurai Region, comprising Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Theni and Ramanathapuram districts, has a total of 566 HT consumers, of whom some institutions such as educational establishments and airports are exempted. A total of 386 HT consumers are eligible to seek additional power in Madurai region.

In January, around 4.6 lakh units were supplied every day when the peak hour restrictions (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) were in force with another 37,000 units supplied during day time. In February, 124 MW or five lakh units would be supplied every day during peak hours with another 68,000 units to be supplied during day time, sources said.

“The entire additional demand in Madurai was completely met by the TNEB in January. The TNEB headquarters has approved the list of HT units seeking additional power in the Madurai Region. The list is prepared on a monthly basis,” a top official said.

The TNEB is procuring the additional power from the States in Eastern Region such as West Bengal and also the Western Region. While having the option of billing up to Rs. 7 a unit, the TNEB billed only Rs. 6.50 in January in Madurai Region as it was the cost incurred, sources said.

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