Brace up to shell out Re. 1 per unit of electricity

Bengaluru: Electricity consumers across the State will have to shell out at least Re. 1 per unit more for 2018-19 if the electricity supply companies (Escoms) have their way. The Escoms, which have to approach the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) annually for revision of tariffs, have sought hikes ranging between Rs. 1.23 and Rs. 1.65 per unit of power this year. While BESCOM (Bengaluru) has sought a hike of Rs. 1.45 per unit, CESC (Mysuru) has sought Rs. 1.36 per unit, MESCOM (Mangaluru) has sought an increase of Rs. 1.08 per unit and HESCOM (Hubballi) has asked for a hike of Rs. 1.23. GESCOM (Gulbarga) has sought Rs. 1.65 per unit, the highest in the list. In a significant departure from tradition, all Escoms have asked for different tariff revisions this year. Sources in KERC revealed that the companies were seeking higher tariffs owing to an increase in power purchase costs as well as system augmentation and upgradation. The government had announced short-term power purchase recently to cope with the shortfall in power due to non-availability of coal for generation. Last year, KERC had approved a hike of 48 paise per unit on an average as against the Rs. 1.48 increase per unit hike sought by all Escoms. This year, the companies are seeking a differential hike in tariff, a move which experts say will prove detrimental to companies which have more non-paying consumers. The brunt of the hike will have to be borne by industries and commercial companies which may then seek to leave the region in favour of other cheaper cities, they explained. KERC will now seek clarifications on the tariff petitions before announcing the schedule for public hearings. The entire process is expected to take 90 days.