MSEDCL blames MERC, activists for high electricity tariff...

 

Under attack from all quarters over high power tariff in the state, MSEDCL officials have blamed consumer activists and Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) for the recent steep tariff hike. Senior officials also ask that why these activists don't evaluate the performance of private companies like Tata Power and Reliance.

"MSEDCL had to recover some dues from consumers from 2009-10 onwards. However, MERC did not allow us to do so until this September. Naturally, when an accumulated account is to be recovered in six months, the surcharge will be higher," a senior official said.

The official further said that MSEDCL had done a lot of capital expenditure in the last two years to improve the power infrastructure. "We have to recover this cost from consumers. Under pressure from consumer activists, MERC did not allow us to recover it on time. Now it has told us to recover expenses of two years in six months," he told TOI.

Another official launched a direct attack on the consumer activists. "The rates approved by MERC for wind energy are the highest in the country. MERC is promoting wind energy suo motu. Why have these activists never raised this issue? MSEDCL had repeatedly told the Commission that this costly power would only burden common consumers," he said.

The official further said that MERC's consumer representatives never targeted Reliance for its high industrial power tariff. "Reliance does not have agricultural consumers. Still its tariff is Rs 9.12 per unit while that of MSEDCL is Rs 8.22 per unit and that too for six months. They were also silent during the Tata Power asset valuation controversy. Why do they target only government companies," he asked.

MSEDCL has also contended that while comparing its power tariff with that of Gujarat, the consumer activists forget that subsidy to powerlooms in Gujarat is very low. "The consumer activists want low cross subsidy for industries, low tariff for farmers and powerlooms and other consumers. We don't have a magic wand. If industrial tariff reduces, that of others will increase. Open access will hit poor and middle class consumers. This is the harsh reality and consumer activists must accept it," he stressed.

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Mundra UMPP shut down until Nov 24 due to major fire...

 

Tata Power's arm Coastal Gujarat Power Limited run 4,000 MW Mundra ultra mega power project (UMPP 800x 5) has been shut down since November 14 due after a major fire broke at the site.

The company has already communicated to the western region load dispatch centre (WRLDC) and power drawing states Gujarat, Maharashtra, Harayana, Rajasthan and Punjab that the generation will be restored from November 24 as the repair and restoration work was underway.

The plant will be light up from November 24 while the actual power supply is expected to begin from early morning of November 25.
 
The company is expected to incur a generation loss of 912 million worth Rs 206 crore due to the closure of the plant.  The financial loss is estimated at the levelised tariff of Rs 2.26 per unit. This is the first fire broke at the site after Mundra UMPP was fully operational with five generating units on July 30, 2012.
 
WRLDC officer, who did not want to be identified, told  ''As per our record and the company's communication, the fire broke at 4.30 am on November 14 when the Mundra plant was generating 3,040 MW from four units. Unit no 2 was under shut down for the inspection of generator and transformer. In stages, the plant was ultimately stopped the total generation from 3 pm on the same day. The company has cited fire and the subsequent damage to the conveyor belt as leading cause for the stoppage of generation and the closure of plant.'' 
 
The company spokesman said "Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL) would like to inform that generation from the UMPP has been temporarily shut down due to a technical incident. At this stage immense importance is placed on measures to deal with this incident and the conveyor repair work is in progress. All efforts are being made to expedite the matter. The generation is expected to start from November 24 onwards progressively. Full restoration of the station is likely by December 3. CGPL would like to reiterate its commitment towards safety in and around the UMPP while ensuring reliable power to all its buyers".
 
According to the official, of the 912 million units, Gujarat, which has 47.5% share in the drawal of power from Mundra UMPP, will have generation loss 433 million units followed by Maharashtra (20% share) 180 million units, Punjab (15% share) 114 million units, Harayana (10% share) 91 million units and Rajasthan (10% share). This apart, the loss of coal due to burning and damage to various equipment and also due to repair and restoration expenses will further increase.

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Waaree Energies plans 6-fold rise in sales; to invest Rs 450 crore...

 

Solar energy solutions provider Waaree Energies, which will be investing Rs 450 crore to up its module capacity, is eyeing over six-fold increase in its revenues to over Rs 2,000 crore in the next three years as the demand for solar projects leapfrogs.

The proposed Rs 450 crore investment over the next six months will double the company's solar module capacity to 500 mw, a top company official said.

The city-based Waaree group manufactures solar PV modules apart from providing turn-key EPC solutions. Waaree Energies, set up in 2007, had clocked Rs 310 crore revenue in FY13.

"There is a huge growth potential in the solar sector. The national solar mission will provide us huge opportunity as we are one of the larger EPC players," Waaree group chairman and managing director Hitesh Doshi told PTI.

"Considering the large potential, we expect to grow more than six times to almost Rs 2,000 crore in the next three years. We have so far executed over 100 mw of solar EPC contracts and have an order book of around Rs 3,000 crore, which gives us a clear visibility for the coming years," he said.

The company has a 250 mw modules manufacturing facility in Surat and plans to expand it to 500 mw soon. Waaree also exports these modules to the US, Middle East, Australia, Europe and Asia.

"We will be investing around Rs 450 crore over the next six months to increase our capacity to 500 mw. This expansion will be funded through internal accruals," Doshi said.

The company also offers a wide range of products and services such as solar rooftop solutions, solar street and home lighting solutions, solar water pumps and water heating solutions and solar portable kits.

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