Govt may clear power tariff policy

By PTI

  • 19 Jan 2016

The government will consider a new power tariff policy tomorrow which aims at promoting clean energy, better regulation of discoms and faster rollout of investments.

"New power tariff policy will be placed tomorrow before the Union Cabinet for deliberations and approval," a source said.

Earlier this month Power Minister Piyush Goyal had told PTI that he was hopeful that the government will be able to clear the new policy in this month or "at best first week of next month".

Besides encouraging faster roll-out of investment, the new policy will reflect a concern for environment and encourage renewable energy.

It will also look to strengthen regulatory mechanism so that discoms become more efficient and conscious towards their duties to consumers.

In 2006, the central government had approved the National Tariff Policy under the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003.

Indicating that the policy will focus on clean energy, Goyal had said: "Now that we have a challenge to add 1.75 lakh MW of renewable energy, we are also bringing in certain more elements in tariff policy which will promote renewable energy." 

The minister had also said: "We are brining in elements, which will promote Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and help waste to energy prosper in India. The certain new elements we decided to bring in." 

It will also promote Swachh Bharat initiative. Under the policy, the power plants will have to use processed municipal waste water available in their vicinity (in 100 km radius).

The proposed policy will bring in several unique aspects which have not been touched in the past. It will allow distribution companies to buy any amount of power produced from the waste.