Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, December 15

All ‘power intensive units’ (PIUs) in the state are under scrutiny of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to ensure that no general category large supply (LS) consumers were using the PIU load on their premises which was considered as ‘unauthorised use of electricity’ (UUE) and liable for imposition of penalty as per provisions of Regulation 36 of Supply Code 2014 and Section 126 of the Electricity Act.

In a memo issued by the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Commercial) on December 9, 2020, it has been clarified that as per the tariff orders approved by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Authority (PSERC), all units such as induction furnace, chloro-alkaline processing, billet heaters with over 100 kVA rating, surface-hardening machines, electrolytes processing industries, electric bell furnaces for annealing and arc furnaces, including electro-slag refining/remelting units, were declared as the PIUs.

PSPCL distribution officials have been accordingly directed to verify ‘after spot checking’ if any general category LS consumer, whose connection was sanctioned/released under the general category, had installed any PIU. If so, a notice be issued to get the PIU load regularised immediately without any further delay. The onus for issuing such a notice would be on the sub-divisions concerned of the PSPCL within seven days from the date of issue of these instructions. Field offices may also send the notice to all LS consumers on respective e-mails (if available).

Further, the PSPCL has reiterated the instructions issued by the PSERC in its order (dated June 26, 2019) that industrial units, which are not included in the list of declared PIU units, would not be charged under the PIU category.

“However, as the technology is changing fast, there may be some new/existing LS consumers whose process/technology may be similar to the PIU but with different name than that declared as the PIU by the commission. Such industries will be charged under general tariff with an undertaking from the applicant that it will be charged applicable tariff from the date of release of connection/extension in load as a PIU as per the decision of the commission,” the memo added.