Date:01/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/01/stories/2005120106270500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

KPTCL seeks higher transmission tariff

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: For the first time, Karnataka Power Transmission and Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) on Wednesday filed a petition before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) seeking upward revision of transmission tariff.

In the petition submitted to KERC Chairman K.P. Pandey, the KPTCL sought an upward revision of about seven paise a unit, from 19.42 paise to 26.06 paise, on transmission of one unit of power. KPTCL transmitted 35,325 million units of power to electricity companies last year. This year it would likely to transmit over 38,000 million units. The proposed hike will help it to mobilise an additional of Rs. 267 crores annually. Its transmission loss has been put at 4.18 per cent and the total transmission and distribution loss at 28 per cent.

Mr. Pandey, who received the petition from V.G. Pandit, Controller, KPTCL, said the commission would receive petitions from five electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) and later conduct a hearing on the proposal to increase transmission tariff. ESCOMs have been given 15 days to file petitions. The entire process would be completed in about six months, he said. If KERC allows KPTCL to hike transmission charges then the ESCOMs will follow suit seeking an increase power tariff.

Mr. Pandit said KPTCL had decided to make capital investment of Rs. 2,700 crores in the next couple of years for improving power transmission.