Andhra Pradesh: No power tariff hike for 2021-22

In a big relief to electricity consumers in the state, the power utilities have decided not to propose any tariff revision in the coming financial year. The three electricity distribution companies in the state — APEPDCL, APCPDCL and APSPDCL — submitted the aggregate revenue requirement (ARRs) and proposed tariffs for retail supply business for 2021-22 to AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) on Monday.

Notwithstanding a huge revenue deficit of Rs 11,911 crore estimated for next year, the discoms have decided not to go for any increase in retail tariff. They have not even proposed inclusion of new categories to the existing ones. In fact, the discoms have decided to waive off the minimum monthly charges for all low-tension consumers. Instead, they have proposed to collect a nominal fixed charge of Rs 10 per kilo watt per month on the contracted load.

All the three discoms put together are purchasing nearly 68,369 million units of power per year at a cost of Rs 30,206 crore. The per unit power purchase cost has been estimated at Rs 4.42.