Indiscriminate loadshedding increase: MERC seeks reply from MSEDCL

At a hearing of the joint petition filed by city-based NGOs Prayas Prayas Energy Group and Sajag on the indiscriminate increase in loadshedding hours...

At a hearing of the joint petition filed by city-based NGOs Prayas Prayas Energy Group and Sajag on the indiscriminate increase in loadshedding hours,the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has directed the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to file a reply within a fortnight. The reply should state the quantum of additional power that is required to keep the city free from power cuts as per the loadshedding protocol.

The hearing was held on Tuesday where Shantanu Dixit of Prayas Energy Group made a presentation that challenged the indiscriminate increase in loadshedding hours by the MSEDCL.

MSEDCL had earlier challenged MERCs loadshedding protocol in the electricity appellate tribunal in Delhi. The petitioners pointed out that the reliability charge should be calculated for zero loadshedding consumers on actual power purchase cost,power purchase cost as per the relevant MERC protocol,power purchase based on actual loadshedding after accounting for daily withdrawal of loadshedding protocol.

Dixit pointed out that consumers were subjected to higher charges so that the MSEDCL got excess revenue because of high cost power at the cost of zero loadshedding consumers. He further stated in a statement issued here that the MSEDCLs demand of increased requirement was unjustified.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories