MERC Reduces MSEDCL distribution Tariff
The Maharashtra Regulatory Commission (MERC) in a notification dated June 27, 2015, has calculated the Distribution Tariff for Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), which will be effective from 1st June 2015 onwards.
The commission in the present order has surprisingly reduce the tariffs for Industrial and commercial consumers. The details of the tariff for commercial and Industrial consumer are in the table below:
A graph on category-wise reduction in tariff is below:
The Commission has approved Wheeling Charges for 33 kV, 22/11 kV and LT Level as Rs. 0.15 per kWh, Rs. 0.83 per kWh and Rs. 1.42 per kWh respectively.
The reduction in the tariff for HT industrial consumer is surprisingly substantial, which is in the range of 11-17%, and the same for HT commercial consumer has been reduced by 10-11%. This reduction in tariff will have a considerable effect on the Open access market.
The Significant reduction in tariff for industrial and consumer tariff has been given after various industrial and commercial consumers expressed their views that the tariffs for industrial and commercial consumers are higher in Maharashtra in comparison with neighboring States.
The commission in the order has also stated that as it has been observed that the current formula for CSS has been a major hurdle for the consumer wishing to avail Open Access, so current formula for CSS will be amended and the commission will deviate from current formula. CSS reduction will open new doors for open access, but it to be seen whether the revision in CSS will have positive impact on OA or not.
The order can be accessed here.