PSPCL notice to heavy industry
Says not liable to supply power to those in 1-MW load category
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 24
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has issued notices to the power consumers having load of 1-MW and above in the state that from May 1, all the power consumers in the category would be deemed as Open Access (OA) consumers and henceforth the PSPCL will have no universal service obligation to supply power to them.

The notice issued by the PSPCL, a copy of which is with The Tribune, states that now whatever is the power requirement, the industries across the state, having the load 1-MW and above will get it from the PSPCL only after the consumers confirm it in writing, at least a month in advance. Besides, the industries have to furnish the details about the quantum of power required, along with the daily/monthly requirement and will also have to execute a bi-lateral agreement with the PSPCL.

On the other hand, the industry has condemned the move of the PSPCL.

With a view to meet the power demands of the large-scale industrial units in the state, the provision of drawing power through OA was started a few years back. The OA system enables the consumer to purchase power from the source other than PSPCL.

As per the previous system, the industries were to take permission for opting for the OA. However, now all the consumers having 1-MW and above load would be in the OA category and they would have to follow the fresh guidelines mentioned in the notice.

"In the absence of the bi-lateral agreement, any drawl of the PSPCL power after May 1, by such consumer will be considered as unauthorised use of electricity. "In case you want to receive power from any other source other then the PSPCL with effect from May 1, 2012, then you are requested to intimate the PSPCL the need for using the PSPCL network for Open Access, as per the standing instructions and will have to bear all related charges/expenses, as per the rules," reads the notice issued to a Ludhiana-based industrialist.

President of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, Badish K Jindal said that if the PSPCL will be under no obligation to provide power to the industry, the industry in the state would vanish. "The consumers with a load of 1-MW and above are industrial only. Out of this, 90 per cent industry is of steel. It would be bleak scenario for the industrial sector, particularly the steel," he claimed.

Reacting sharply, President, Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Punjab, PD Sharma said that the decision has caused panic among all the consumers who come under this new category. "Firstly, the Open Access market is yet not fully developed and the market is at the moment evolving. On the other hand, there is acute shortage of power in the country. Moreover, bulk of power requirement goes to agriculture sector in a cyclic manner and the quantum of power for industrial sector remains uncertain. In such a scenario, individual consumers will not be able to negotiate with producers of the power," he asserted.