Cut transmission losses, ESCOMS told

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) directed all ESCOMS to bring down their distribution losses to 15.36 per cent for the year from the previous year’s target of 16.16 per cent.“If the ESCOMS lose more than the approved percentage of power in distribution, we will not allow them to pass on the costs to the consumer and they will carry the cost in their books,” M R Srinivasa Murthy, chairman, KERC said on Monday.Fuel cost adjustment charges would be worked out on the basis of a formula on the directions of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity. KERC would introduce the mechanism for collection of fuel costs from the consumers in the coming weeks. “It will be done after consulting the stakeholders and costs will be passed on  a quarterly basis,” Murthy said.KERC has approved a total expenditure of Rs 23,907.78 crore for all ESCOMS which would be supplying 49,300 MU excluding T&D losses of around 18.71 per cent during the fiscal 2012-13. ESCOMS would procure around 61,000 MU this year and BESCOM has been allotted an Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of Rs 13,025.31 crore for the year.The regulatory asset of Rs 401 crore reserved for FY 13 has been fully absorbed in the tariff hike announced on Monday, according to the KERC.Cross subsidy surcharge on consumers using open access to buy power directly from the generators has also been reintroduced for the current year. The commission also approved an ARR of Rs 1918.77 crore for KPTCL, which amounts to a transmission tariff of Rs 1,12,224 per MW per month. “This decision will not affect consumers as the hike has been absorbed in the 10 paisa increase,” Murthy said.