The Hindu : Front Page : New steps to tackle power shortage

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Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
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New steps to tackle power shortage

Special Correspondent

50 p.c. more tariff for consumption over 600 units
New system to come into force
on November 1

CHENNAI: The State government on Monday came out with a combination of measures in an attempt to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent for domestic consumers and 40 per cent for high tension (HT) industrial units and commercial establishments.

According to the latest announcement, a section of domestic consumers, who use over 600 units in two months, have been advised to reduce their consumption by 20 per cent. Energy consumption in excess of the ceiling will be charged at 50 per cent more than the present tariff. Under the existing tariff structure, a charge of Rs.3.05 per unit is levied for 601 units and above for two months. Of the 1.3 crore domestic consumers, 5.7 lakh come under this category. The new measures are to tide over the shortage of 2,000 megawatt and will come into force from November 1, according to an official release.

It stated that the domestic connections in urban areas would be given “at least 20 hours of power supply every day.” As regards HT industrial establishments and commercial complexes, 40 per cent power cut will be imposed, apart from the existing restrictions during evening peak hours (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) when they should not draw power from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The demand charges will be proportionately reduced.

In respect of Low Tension current transformer (LTCT) service connections, the power cut will be 20 per cent. The restrictions during peak hours are applicable to this category of consumers, too. In the case of low-tension (LT) industrial establishments and commercial complexes, the ceiling on energy consumption is 2,000 units in two months.

These consumers have been advised to bring down their consumption by 20 per cent. The consumption in excess of the ceiling will be charged at 50 per cent more than the usual rate. The regulations will affect approximately 5,000 HT consumers. In rural areas, three-phase supply will be provided for 10 hours and single phase for 14 hours. Agriculturists can use electricity for six hours during day and four hours at night. They have been asked not to use single-phase supply for farming operations. Essential services such as Railways, fertilizer plants, educational institutions, hospitals, embassies and media have been exempted from the regulations.

The regulations would be reviewed at the end of December.

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