3 hrs ago
CPM Opposes Extra Power Payments, Seeks Smart-Meter Cost Probe
The CPM asked Andhra Pradesh’s electricity regulator not to approve some extra power payments.
One company, HNPCL, wants more money for electricity supplied by its Visakhapatnam plant.
The request covers power supplied from August 2022 to March 2024.
Another petition concerns surplus electricity bought through a central pool.
The CPM also wants an investigation into the cost of smart meters for farm pumps.
Ch Babu Rao said a company linked to the earlier meter project could receive about Rs 2,500 crore.
He also said APSPDCL has already paid Rs 764.97 crore.
The companies and government did not provide a response in the report.
CPM leader Ch Babu Rao urged APERC to reject additional payments sought by private power generators.
HNPCL is seeking higher variable and carrying costs for power supplied from its 1,040-MW Visakhapatnam thermal plant.
The petitions cover electricity supplied between August 2022 and March 2024, along with surplus power purchases through the central pool.
Babu Rao alleged irregularities in the agricultural pump-set smart-meter project and sought a detailed investigation.
He claimed the government may compensate Wish Renewable Ltd by about Rs 2,500 crore, while APSPDCL has already paid Rs 764.97 crore.
- Who
- CPM state secretariat member Ch Babu Rao, HNPCL, APERC and other power-sector entities.
- What
- The CPM opposed additional payments to private power generators and sought an investigation into agricultural pump-set smart-meter costs.
- Where
- APERC held the virtual hearing from Kurnool, while Babu Rao participated from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday; the HNPCL claims concern power supplied from August 2022 through March 2024.
- Why
- The CPM said the payments and smart-meter project require greater scrutiny because of alleged irregularities and concerns over transparency and tariffs.
CPM’s objections
Petitioners’ payment requests
Additional power payments
CPM’s objections
The CPM urged APERC to reject HNPCL’s requests and said further payments should not be approved without strict scrutiny.
Petitioners’ payment requests
HNPCL filed petitions seeking higher variable costs and carrying costs for electricity supplied from its Visakhapatnam thermal plant. No response from HNPCL was reported.
Smart-meter compensation
CPM’s objections
Babu Rao alleged irregularities in the agricultural pump-set smart-meter project and questioned a proposed compensation payment of about Rs 2,500 crore.
Petitioners’ payment requests
The report says compensation was being proposed for Wish Renewable Ltd, which Babu Rao linked to Shirdi Sai Electricals, but it does not include the company’s response.
Government commitments
CPM’s objections
The CPM alleged that the coalition government was acting contrary to promises of transparency and lower tariffs.
Petitioners’ payment requests
The report does not provide the coalition government’s response to the allegations.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC)
- HNPCL plant
- A 1,040-MW thermal plant in Visakhapatnam
- Claim period
- August 2022 to March 2024
- Proposed compensation
- About Rs 2,500 crore to Wish Renewable Ltd, according to Babu Rao
- Reported payment
- Rs 764.97 crore allegedly paid by APSPDCL, including liquidated damages and meter-related costs
- Earlier payments
- More than Rs 1,200 crore allegedly paid under successive governments for HNPCL claims
- Hearing chair
- In-charge APERC chairman C V R Reddy
Sources
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