Generating your own power using solar power may not be a good idea for consumers in Delhi if the discoms have their way. In a proposal which could well act as a deterrent to green energy, the three power distribution companies have asked the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to charge such consumers a standardised rate of Rs7.30 per unit irrespective of usage.
The proposal which the Reliance and Tata-owned power distribution companies have made in their annual tariff petitions puts a spanner in DERC’s solar net metering system, which was launched last year.
“The petitioners have proposed that domestic consumers who would be opting for net metering should have a single slab for energy consumption up to 800 units, which should be charged at rates defined for 401-800 units of normal domestic users. Their logic is that the move will ensure that high-end consumers do not avail the benefit of both the slab rates and the net metering,” informed a DERC official.
If the power regulator agrees to the proposal, consumers planning to use green energy are set to be totally put off. “Suppose a family is consuming 600 units per month. If it takes up solar net metering, their power consumption from the discoms will significantly reduce, say by 300 units.
As per the existing norms, they will be charged only Rs2.97 per unit (including the Government’s 50 per cent subsidy) for the power they draw from the discom. But the private companies are demanding that they should be charged a mammoth Rs7.30 per unit as they are predicting a loss of revenue with a shift to new forms of energy,” explained JP Singh, member, DERC, adding that the move is unfair and is most likely to be shot down.
The power regulator’s chairman, PD Sudhakar, however, maintained that a decision in this regard would be taken only after analysing the suggestions and objections from the public.