Bilkul Sateek News
Chandigarh: A public hearing was held on Wednesday in the courtroom of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), Panchkula, on the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) petitions filed by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) for the financial year 2026–27.
During the hearing, HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma and Members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar directed that third-party audits of all thermal power plants in Haryana be conducted mandatorily. The Commission noted that similar directives had been issued earlier but compliance had been inadequate. It further instructed that proper utilisation of ash generated by the plants be ensured and that an Ash Management Committee be constituted. The importance of regular safety audits for all power plants was also emphasised.
On behalf of HPGCL, officials stated that technical audits are currently conducted by retired engineers from BHEL and NTPC. However, the Commission reiterated that independent third-party audits are mandatory and directed HPGCL to submit details of all previous audits conducted at its plants. The Commission also raised questions regarding the quality of coal being used, to which HPGCL officials provided satisfactory explanations.
Earlier in the day, the ARR petition of HVPN was taken up for hearing, followed by HPGCL. HVPN has sought an ARR of ₹2,739.96 crore for 2026–27, compared to ₹2,496.58 crore in the previous year. Meanwhile, HPGCL has demanded ₹210.47 crore as revenue for the same financial year. The Commission additionally directed HVPN to ensure that loans for its projects are availed at the lowest possible interest rates and that minimum savings of ₹25 crore are achieved in the next financial year.
Key Directions by HERC:
Technical Audit:
The Commission advised that a comprehensive technical audit of the generating stations be carried out through specialised and reputed agencies, to identify efficiency gaps, benchmark performance parameters, and recommend measures for operational optimisation and cost reduction.
Reduction in Borrowing Cost:
The generating company was directed to explore avenues for reducing borrowing costs by adopting competitive and market-linked financing options, including refinancing existing loans, to minimise the interest burden and reduce impact on tariffs.
Ash Management and Revenue Optimisation:
The Commission emphasised that scientific and efficient ash management should be pursued to enhance non-tariff income through proper utilisation and disposal of ash. The generating company was directed to constitute a dedicated committee to examine and recommend innovative and sustainable solutions for ash management, including potential revenue-generating mechanisms, and to present the outcomes to the Commission within a stipulated timeframe.
