9th State Advisory Committee Meeting Held at TGERC, Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Feb 4, 2025: The 9th State Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting was held today at Vidyut Niyantran Bhavan, TGERC office, Kalyan Nagar, Hyderabad, under the chairmanship of Dr. Justice D. Nagarjun, Hon’ble Chairman, Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC).
The meeting was attended by key officials, including D. Krishna Bhaskar, CMD, TGTRANSCO; C. Srinivasa Rao, JMD, TRANSCO; K. Varun Reddy, CMD, TGNPDCL; P. Vijender Reddy, MD, CESS Sircilla; and Saibaba, Director, TGSPDCL, along with SAC members and other power sector officials.
Role of the State Advisory Committee
The State Advisory Committee (SAC) was constituted under Section 87 of the Electricity Act, 2003, with its functions outlined in Section 88 of the Act. The committee advises the Commission on key policy matters, quality of service by utilities, compliance by licensees, and consumer protection. Regulation No. 4 of 2015 governs the SAC’s constitution and functioning, ensuring representation from various sectors, including domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers, government bodies, research institutions, agriculture, transport, and power sector employees.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Justice D. Nagarjun emphasized the complexities of the electricity sector, highlighting the challenge of ensuring uninterrupted, quality power at reasonable costs while balancing the interests of consumers, generators, and utilities. He underscored the transition to clean energy, noting that renewable sources are expected to dominate the sector, which brings challenges in grid stability and electricity storage through pumped storage and battery energy systems, both requiring significant investment.
He further stated that the Electricity Act, 2003, has been a game-changer, introducing increased competition and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to ensure quality power supply at competitive rates. He also highlighted the regulatory powers of the Commission in shaping policies and enforcing compliance for the sector’s growth.
Discussions on Tariffs and Consumer Issues
During the meeting, utility representatives presented the proposed tariffs, confirming that no tariff hike is planned. The government’s financial support in the form of subsidies was also discussed.
SAC members provided feedback on various issues, including:
- Reduction in Cross Subsidy Charges, Standby Charges, and Additional Surcharges.
- Improving consumer grievance redressal, particularly in rural areas, within a time-bound framework.
- Concerns over power procurement despite surplus availability, adding financial burden on Discoms.
Responding to concerns, TGNPDCL CMD clarified that while power may appear surplus at times, demand fluctuates—with excess power during certain periods and shortages during peak hours, requiring short-term purchases from power exchanges. He assured that power procurement is being done prudently at competitive prices.
Representatives from FTCCI, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, and other stakeholders acknowledged the overall improvement in the state’s power sector but urged further enhancements in service quality, reduction in losses, and timely collection of government dues. They also recommended holding more frequent SAC meetings to address challenges and advance sectoral improvements.
The meeting concluded with an assurance from TGERC officials that the concerns raised would be examined, and necessary steps would be taken for the betterment of the power sector.
