PSEB and Punjab Govt agree to simplifyy procedure for availing power open access
GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Thursday, 25 February 2010
PATIALA: A meeting of representatives of Industrial consumers was held with Board management in PSEB Chairman’s Office which was jointly chaired by Arun Goyal, Principal Secretary, Irrigation & Power, Government of Punjab & Harinder Singh Brar, Chairman, PSEB.

Major issues discussed in the meeting were Power Purchase through Open Access, Peak Load Exemption and captive/Co-generation of power. Anurag Agarwal, Member/ Finance & Accounts, Er.S.C.Sabharwal, Member / Transmission, Er.G.S.Sra, Member / Generation, Er.K.D.Chaudhry, Member / Distribution, PSEB were also present in the meeting.

It was decided that Board management would simplify the procedure for availing open access. It was advised that the consumers while planning purchase of power shall keep in mind the pattern of weekly off days which are planned to be 2.5 days in June 2010, 3 days in July, 3 days in August, 2.5days in September and 1.5days October. It was assured to the industrialists that Transmission system of Board will be able to handle transmission of power and the availability of corridor will have to be managed by the open access consumers/traders on their own.

Er.Brar told that consumers can use dual ratio CTs for open access upto 31-5-2010 only & thereafter they would be required to replace the dual ratio CTs with Single ratio CTs. Consumers will also have to replace CTs of 0.5 accuracy with CTs of 0.2 accuracy by 30-06-2010.

Chairman further said that in order to make billing for open access efficient and trouble free it has been decided that meter reading data will be jointly downloaded by Xen MMTS and Xen Distribution in presence of consumer’s representative and sent to Director/Open Access and the bills shall be delivered to consumers by fax. Further Board shall start process of automatic billing of UI (Unscheduled Interchange) by 30-06-2010, positively.

Chairman informed that on the demand of consumers the grant of NOC for power purchase under open access, board decided that all such applications shall be cleared in 15 days positively. Further to facilitate filing of application for this, all the requirements have been uploaded on PSEB website so that fault free applications are submitted to Board. Consumers can also deposit lumsum revolving amount of Rs.2 lacs with PSEB which shall be adjusted against NOC/standing clearance applications. Applications will also be accepted by e-mail or fax and NOC shall also be sent to consumers by e-mail or fax. Chairman assured industrialists that all the regulations regarding open access, period of grant, start date, end date, open access capacity used and all other data shall be made available on PSEB web site by 31-05-2010.

On demand of consumers, it has been desired by Principal Secretary/Power that at least two nos. ABT meter suppliers shall be approved by PSEB to break the monopoly of one supplier. It was also decided that ABT meters once purchased shall be installed by PSEB within 15 days positively. It was also assured to Industrialists that sufficient awareness about PSEB policies regarding Power Purchase through open access shall be created.

Regarding Peak Load Exemption, Chairman said that in view of difficulties faced by consumers it has been decided that all cases of grant of peak load exemption upto 100KW shall be decided by SE/Distribution and above 100KW by Chief Engineer/System Operation. He informed that during paddy no peak load exemption to industry shall be granted.

Er.Brar said that on demand of consumers, it has also been decided that NOC for captive generation or co-generation will be cleared within 15 days in every case. Member Distribution shall monitor clearance of all such applications within stipulated time.

In the end meeting concluded with representatives of industrial consumers thanking Principal Secretary/Power and Chairman, PSEB for listening patiently and taking concrete actions on their demands. Principal Secretary, Power while addressing meeting further assured industrialists that in case they have any difficulty or face undesirable delays, they can contact concerned Member of the Board. Chairman, PSEB said that in case of harassment or undue delays he can also be contacted. Meeting ended in positive note with representatives of industry going back quite satisfied.