Delhiites may soon have to pay different rates for power at different times of the day, and different seasons of the year.
The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has sought public comments on its intentions to apply these innovative concepts of “Time Differential tariffs” and “two-part tariff” for domestic consumers.
On Wednesday, DERC decided to extend the time limit of accepting public comments on these issues by 15 days to January 30 and postpone the public hearing on tariff determination to the first week of February, because stakeholders have sought more time for educated responses to the topic.
“The idea is to give consumers the incentive to self-regulate power usage and to make them shift the use of power-guzzling machines to non-peak hours,” said a DERC official.
The idea of different tariffs for different times of the day emerged after studying patterns of power use among Delhiites at various times of the day over a long period.
The demand for power varies significantly between the day time peak hours and the night time non-peak hours. “The distcoms have to undertake a continuous balancing exercise to meet any additional shortfall during peak hours,” says the concept note.
DERC is particularly critical about the use of power-guzzling water pumps commonly known as “boosters” used at almost all homes between 5 am and 7 am. DERC proposes underground pumps be installed in all buildings so the supplied water can be stored in the morning.
{{/usCountry}}DERC is particularly critical about the use of power-guzzling water pumps commonly known as “boosters” used at almost all homes between 5 am and 7 am. DERC proposes underground pumps be installed in all buildings so the supplied water can be stored in the morning.
{{/usCountry}}BSES meters installed
Power distcom BSES has installed 24 lakh electronic meters in Delhi, comprising 98 per cent of its customer base, despite years of widespread resistance from Delhiites. The process would be completed by the end of the financial year.