Delhi: power cos revise load limit, bills may go up

Delhi is on a power trip and it will be reflected in the electricity bills in the coming months.

Delhi is on a power trip and it will be reflected in the electricity bills in the coming months.

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Following an increase in usage, power distribution firms have revised the sanctioned load of more than 5.6 lakh consumers in the city, depending on the electricity used. These consumers have added approximately 1,000 MW to the city’s power load.

An increase in load will mean an increase in security deposit — Rs 600 for every additional kilowatt (KW) of power and a monthly fixed charge of Rs 20 per KW. On an average, a household is sanctioned 3-4 KW, enough to power an AC, geyser and a TV set. Consumers whose load has been increased would have overshot 5-7 KW consumption.

“As per the directives of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the sanctioned load of a consumer is to be revised annually. The exercise has been completed,” a power distribution company official said.

Letters informing about the increase in the load — the amount of electricity a household or a business establishment is sanctioned — will be sent out soon. On an average, Delhi’s peak power demand on a day hovers between 4,000 MW and 5,500 MW.

Increased use of gadgets such as ACs pushes up power consumption, hence the load. Power companies can enhance the load of consumers who use more than what is sanctioned to them.

Load limits of 4.5 lakh consumers of BSES Rajdhani and Yamuna Power Limited have been revised whereas in areas under the jurisdiction of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, 1.11 lakh consumers will get revised bills.

"People should come forward and voluntarily tell us if their sanctioned load should be increased," said the official. "If people consume more than their sanctioned load, it puts tremendous pressure on the distribution network and leads to tripping too. It can also damage equipment."