CERC to pass on TOD tariff system to retail customers in 2 yrs

Kolkata, Jul 11 (UNI) The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is planning to pass on ''time of the day'' method for calculating tariffs to all low tension and retail customers in two years time.

CERC Chairman Ashok Basu said the method would imply higher tariff in peak hours and lower tariff in lean hours. The method requires improved meters for calculating the bills.

CERC is also targetting to introduce multi-year tariff system for all state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) by 2007-08.

This would imply fixation of tariff for at least five years rather than the present system of tariff fixation every year by the SERCs, Basu said.

He said consultants KPMG had been engaged to suggest ways to get reliable base time data required for multi-year tariff system. The report is expected in three to four months time.

He said CERC had recommended the avoided cost method for cross subsidy surcharge fixation by the SERCs.

He said the Centre had targetted 2,00,000 MW power generation and 36,000 MW national grid for transmission and distribution by 2012 which envisaged an investment of US $ 200 billion.

'' The huge investment cannot be generated by the government alone and the private participation is required, '' he said.

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