DERC pulls up socks to improve distribution
6 Aug 2012 3:36 PM IST
Delhi’s power regulator DERC has finalised a number of measures to improve power distribution infrastructure in the city, which include appointment of independent consultants to check its maintenance and upkeep by private companies.
To address consumers’ grievances on fast running meters, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has also decided to recognise NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited laboratories in various areas of the city to check accuracy of the meters.
The certification by NABL, which functions under the Department of Science and Technology, is considered prestigious and DERC officials said the testing of meters by independent laboratories would address consumers’ grievances.
In another consumer-friendly initiative, the DERC has decided to request the Delhi government to set up a consumer advocacy centre to provide legal help to those who want to pursue their complaints against private power distribution companies.
The officials said the Commission will soon bring out a handbook to educate the consumers about the electricity sector and their rights.
In order to reduce power purchase costs, the DERC has also decided to persuade three distribution companies to install sophisticated load forecasting techniques to predict possible demand on their network in the course of a day so that power is not wasted.
The DERC will also follow up with the discoms for maximising returns from sale of surplus power to bulk consumers in neighbouring states, the officials said.
The Commission plans to urge the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission to conduct cost audit of central generating stations so that power purchase cost of the distribution companies are properly monitored and kept under control. Power purchase cost comprises 80 to 90 per cent of the cost of providing power at the retail level.
As part of its effort to modernise the power sector, the DERC has also decided to introduce a new system called time of the metering under which tariff will be charged according to electricity consumption in peak and off peak hours.
The proposed mechanism -- aimed at encouraging consumers to limit their power consumption in peak hours - is being introduced on a pilot basis.
If implemented, Delhi will be the first state in the country to have such a metering system, which, experts said, would benefit everybody including the consumers. The power distribution companies often have to procure additional power from the market at very high cost to meet the demand at the peak hours from 6- 11 pm.
The proposed system is being introduced to discourage commercial users from consuming more power during peak hours so that load shedding could be minimised in residential areas in the peak summer months when the demand goes up substantially.
To address consumers’ grievances on fast running meters, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has also decided to recognise NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited laboratories in various areas of the city to check accuracy of the meters.
The certification by NABL, which functions under the Department of Science and Technology, is considered prestigious and DERC officials said the testing of meters by independent laboratories would address consumers’ grievances.
In another consumer-friendly initiative, the DERC has decided to request the Delhi government to set up a consumer advocacy centre to provide legal help to those who want to pursue their complaints against private power distribution companies.
The officials said the Commission will soon bring out a handbook to educate the consumers about the electricity sector and their rights.
In order to reduce power purchase costs, the DERC has also decided to persuade three distribution companies to install sophisticated load forecasting techniques to predict possible demand on their network in the course of a day so that power is not wasted.
The DERC will also follow up with the discoms for maximising returns from sale of surplus power to bulk consumers in neighbouring states, the officials said.
The Commission plans to urge the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission to conduct cost audit of central generating stations so that power purchase cost of the distribution companies are properly monitored and kept under control. Power purchase cost comprises 80 to 90 per cent of the cost of providing power at the retail level.
As part of its effort to modernise the power sector, the DERC has also decided to introduce a new system called time of the metering under which tariff will be charged according to electricity consumption in peak and off peak hours.
The proposed mechanism -- aimed at encouraging consumers to limit their power consumption in peak hours - is being introduced on a pilot basis.
If implemented, Delhi will be the first state in the country to have such a metering system, which, experts said, would benefit everybody including the consumers. The power distribution companies often have to procure additional power from the market at very high cost to meet the demand at the peak hours from 6- 11 pm.
The proposed system is being introduced to discourage commercial users from consuming more power during peak hours so that load shedding could be minimised in residential areas in the peak summer months when the demand goes up substantially.
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