New Delhi, May 20: Central power generation companies like NTPC may get some respite in the next financial year as the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has begun the process of determining new electricity tariff norms which would come into effect from April 1 next year. The existing tariff norms, valid for a period of three years, were implemented on April 1, 2001, CERC chairman A K Basu said, adding the discussion paper would be ready by the end of this month. Asked whether the commission would look into the issues raised by some of the central power generation companies like National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) with regard to Availability Based Tariff (ABT) norms, Basu said, "We shall be neutral to all stakeholders and help power sector grow."
NTPC had strongly opposed the new tariff norms saying that the corporation would stand to loose revenue worth Rs 18,000 crore in the next 10 years and it would affect NTPC's plans to add 20,000 mw capacity and become 40,000 plus mw company by 2012.

"I am opening up the whole issue again. All norms including rate of interest, rate of return on equity, operation, maintenance, renovation and modernisation," Basu said adding that the entire process would be completed by December 31, 2003 and the new tariff norms would come into effect from April next year.

Bureau Report