Delhi Discoms earning crores by selling surplus power

New Delhi: All-India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has expressed concern over the Discoms in Delhi are making rich dividends by selling their surplus power to power deficient state like Punjab Haryana and UP as their power share is much more than their needs.

Shaliender Dubey Secretary General of AIPEF said that the electricity quota for the national capital from the Central grid was being increased consistently even exceeding its needs. Because of the Commonwealth Games being held in Delhi, the national capital has been allotted over 4,000 mega watt additional power which will further enhance the business prospects of these private power companies.

It may be mentioned that Delhi Discoms who do not generate even a single mega watt of electricity, are earning crores of rupees after the recent hike in UI charges from Rs 7.52 per unit to Rs 17.46 per unit effected by the CentralElectricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

It may be mentioned that Delhi Discoms are the major gainers in Northern Region which are surrendering their power share to earn revenue whereas all other states including Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Uttraanchal are overdrawing from grid.

According to NRLDC records Delhi Discoms earned a revenue of 184 crores in the month of April by surrendering 4096 lakh units. Punjab overdrew 20417 lakh units from northern grid and has been billed for Rs. 236 crores. Haryana overdrew 1807 lakh units and made payment of Rs. 140 crores. Uttar Pardesh topped in over drawing power to the tune of 31207 lakh units in April at cost of Rs. 368 crores. Even states like Rajashthan, Chandigarh and Railways overdrew the power from grid.

Delhi Discoms has been given more allocations than their requirements at the cost of other states of the region. Discoms get power at cheaper rate and by surrendering power in the grid they earn handsome amount without investing a penny.

Delhi Regulatory Commission tried to reduce power tariff by taking in to account earnings from surrender of power but was not allowed by Delhi Government.

In this hot summer season power demand increases and all states resort to over drawing power from grid even without bothering for the power purchase cost.

Dubey cited the recent data released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Dubey said, during 2009-2010 fiscal ,UP had overdrawn 31,265,525 million units (MUs) which was much in excess than its allocated quota of 27,715,109 MUs. For UP this cost payment of additional Rs 17,118.82 crore under the head of UI charges.

On the contrary the Delhi-based private companies during this period overdrew 21, 70,041 MUs which was much less than the allocated 168.43.701 MUs quota. This makes clear that Delhi got more power allotted than it needs. This surplus power was being sold to power-starved states on high rates.
He demanded that roll back of the hefty hike in unscheduled interchange (UI) charges of overdrawn power from the Central grid which has been implemented from May 2 as this has become a tool for minting easy money for the Delhi -based private power companies.