Bilkul Sateek News
Chandigarh: The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has sought extensive additional financial, technical and operational data from the state’s power utilities, signalling deeper regulatory scrutiny before finalising electricity tariffs for the coming financial year.
In its interim orders, the Commission said that although public hearings on tariff petitions of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and Haryana Power Generation Corporation (HPGCL) have concluded, further examination of details was necessary to ensure prudence, transparency and protection of electricity consumer interest.
After hearing HVPN, HERC directed the transmission utility to furnish details of World Bank loans availed since inception, including interest rates, foreign exchange variations and effective borrowing costs. HVPN has also been asked to justify the projected increase in depreciation for FY 2026-27, submit details of capital works in progress and proposed capitalisation up to FY 2029-30, transfer retained earnings treated as equity to capital reserve and explore loan swaps to reduce interest burden.
In the case of HPGCL, the Commission sought detailed employee data for FY 2024-25, including regular and contractual staff strength with cost break-up. It also asked for an analysis of coal sampling agencies, coal quality claims over the past three years, generation data, working capital loans and reasons for non-availability of hydro power plants despite water availability.
HERC also passed a detailed interim order in the combined matters of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (UHBVNL) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (DHBVNL), noting that retail supply tariffs across northern and southern Haryana are identical and therefore require a common regulatory approach. It clubbed petitions relating to true-up for FY 2024-25, mid-year performance review for FY 2025-26 and aggregate revenue requirement for FY 2026-27 for disposal through a common order.
While public hearings have concluded, both DISCOMs have been directed to file replies to stakeholder comments and submit additional information, including details of power purchase agreements, renewable energy action plans, demand management measures, cost of supply data, loss projections, employee costs, subsidy reconciliation and proposals for introduction of time-of-day tariffs.
The Commission said it would examine all submissions before passing final tariff orders and announced that additional public hearings will be held in four districts—Gurugram and Hisar for DHBVNL, and Panipat and Yamunanagar for UHBVNL—between February and March.
