Punjab & Haryana agreed to consider 24x7 Power to
Industrial Clusters: PHD Chamber
At the 10th Annual Chief Secretaries’ Summit organized by the PHD Chamber, there was a broad consensus to facilitate 24x7 power supply to industrial clusters keeping in view the continuing and expected shortage of power.
The proposal highlighted by Mr. Satish Bagrodia, President, PHD Chamber and accepted for consideration by the Chief Secretary of Punjab and other State envisages.
- Identifying 2 or 3 clusters / parks under a pilot project in each state for being offered to SPV Discom;
- Supply power to industrial clusters at 132 KV and interested units in the cluster entering into long term agreement with Discom for 24x7 power supply at marginally higher tariff approved by the SERC;
- Discom to buy power from State Transco / SEB at rates not less than bulk industrial tariff;
- Agreement to have provision for self power generation by Discom during shortages. Also for additional power, Discom be free to buy power from power exchanges;
- SPV Discom shall require separate distribution feeder; and
- Introduce Smart Grids as these are capable of focusing on specified area. Smart grids make it possible for energy suppliers to charge variable tariff so that charges reflect the considerable differences in cost of generating electricity during peak and off peak periods.
Responding to the Chamber’s suggestions, Mr. Ajay Shankar, Secretary, DIPP, Government of India said that, this model is feasible and within a period of 2 years, target of 24x7 power supply to clusters can be achieved, if regulatory system in States is created.
Mr. S C Agrawal, Chief Secretary, Punjab and Mr. Y S Malik, Principal Secretary (Industry and Commerce), Haryana lamented that both the States are passing through phase of power shortage at present and as such the action plan suggested by the Chamber can be considered for implementation.
Other Chief Secretaries from Northern and Central India present at the Summit were Mr. P Joy Oommen, Chhattisgarh; Mr. Rakesh Mehta, Delhi; and Mrs. Asha Swarup, HP. Mr. Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary, Industries, Govt. of J&K represented the state.
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