The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) is considering a state government proposal to provide power at a cheaper rate to power-intensive industries.
State energy minister SN Patro, admitting that the state government has sent OERC a proposal, told FE that the lower tariff will be for industries willing to use power after 10.30 pm.
The minister said, “We are now unable to avail ourselves of the entire share of power from central-sector power plants in the state owing to lack of demand.” This power could be made available to power-intensive industries in the state at a price lower than the industrial tariff, he said.
The minister said the OERC has also been urged to reduce the tariff for the agriculture sector. He, however, clarified that the state government is not going to provide subsidy for the purpose.
The OERC should consider these proposals, taking into consideration that Orissa is going to remain a power hub of the country.
The state’s present requirement of power during peak-hours is about 2600mw. This will be increased to 5000mw by 2011-12 and to 5812 mw by 2014-15.
The minister said Orissa will achieve 100% electrification by 2010. Under the Rajiv
Gandhi Gramin Vidyut Yojana and Biju Grama Jyoti Yojna, all the remaining 20% uncovered villages will be covered with an investment of Rs 5000 crore. He said this will increase the demand for power by 1500mw by then.
Orissa has the second lowest tariff in the country after Himachal Pradesh. There has been no increase in tariff in the last seven years. There are about 26 lakh consumers in the state. To add to it, 32 lakh BPL families are provided free power at a nominal Rs 30 a month.