Power shortage: 18-day work, 12-day break option for industry

Express News Service
Hyderabad, November 2:

Compounding the woes of the industry, the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issued fresh power restrictions. One of the options given, while imposing the power restrictions, is that if the industries can work 18 days continuously and take 12 holidays in a months.
 It means that industries should work for 18 days continuously in a month and declare holiday for employees for next 12 days.

It may be recalled that the APERC issued orders restricting the use of power on September 14, 2012. As the power situation deteriorated further the APERC revised the restrictions. New power restrictions will come into force from the midnight of November 7,2012 and will be operative till March, 31, 2013. The order issued in September shall stand repealed from November 7.
The Discoms informed the APERC that about 202 million units per day as against a demand of 276 million units per day. There is a shortfall of 74 mu per day.

Restrictions are as follows: The off-peak period means 00.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs and 22.00 hrs to 24.00 hrs. Peak period means 18.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs.

HT-1 (B) Ferro Alloy Industry: Option 1: Power supply throughout the month with 60 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 30 per cent contracted demand during peak hours.
Option 2:  18 days power supply at a stretch and power holiday of 12 days. During 18 days of power supply, 100 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 30 per cent contracted demand during peak hours is permitted. During power holiday period of 12 days, 10 per cent of contracted demand is permitted for maintenance. Ferro Alloy industry can opt any one of the two.

HT-1 continuous process industries: To avail supply under this category, the consumers have to take prior approval from the respective CMD of the Discom duly furnishing the details of their manufacturing process and end product.
 Consumers who fall under this category this category will also give their option in writing either for option 1 or option 2 with a copy to the CMD, Discom. Option 1: Power supply throughout the month with 60 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 20 per cent contracted demand during peak hours.
Option 2: 18 days power supply at a stretch and  power holiday and power holiday of 12 days. During 18 days power supply, 100 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 20 per cent contracted demand during peak hours is permitted. During power holiday of 12 days, 10 per cent of contracted is permitted for maintenance.

HT-1 Other industries: Consumers under this category shall give their option in writing either for option 1, option 2 or option 3.
Option: Power supply throughout the month with 60 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 10 per cent contracted demand during peak hours.
 Option 2: 18 days power supply at a stretch and power holiday for 12 days. During 18 days power supply, 100 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 10 per cent contracted demand during peak hours. During power holiday period of 12 days, 10 per cent of contracted is permitted for maintenance.
Option 3: Staggered power supply for 18 days, like four days power supply in a week with 100 per cent contracted demand during off peak hours and 10 per cent contracted demand during peak hours. During power holiday period of 12 days, 10 per cent of contracted demand is permitted for maintenance.

HT-3 Permitted Demand off peak is 50 per cent of the contracted demand and 40 per cent during peak hours.
LT-3B: 60 percent of the demand during off peak hours and 10 per cent during peak hours.
LT-3A: 100 per cent contracted load permitted during off peak hours and only lighting during off peak hours.
LT-2C: Permitted consumer limited ninety units per month per KW of contracted load.
Control measures: The APERC while imposing fresh restrictions, issued serious warning to consumers. If any consumer exceeds the permitted demand limited by a quantum exceeding five per cent of demand, the power connection will be disconnected immediately. For the first violation the disconnection is 48 hours, for the second violation 7 days disconnection, for third violation 15 days disconnection and one month disconnection if violation is fourth time. This is besides penal charges.

ends