Chennai: In a setback to Tangedco, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has dismissed petitions of two Chhattisgarh-based power companies which sought transmission corridor to supply power to the state on long term basis. In its May 20 order, APTEL upheld the order of the Central Electricity regulatory Commission (CERC) . The Chhattisgarhbased Jindal Power Limited and KSK Mahanadi Power Company Ltd entered into an agreement with Tangedco in 2013 to supply 400 MW and 500 MW respectively to the state for 15 years at a tariff of Rs 4.91 per unit.
Considering the commissioning of the new 765 KV Sholapur-Raichur (SR) transmission line, Tangedco signed the long term power purchase agreement. Both Jindal and KSK Mahanadi had applied to Power Grid Corporation for allocating corridor in November 2013 to enable supply of power to the state from early 2014. However, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had signed PPA with a Chhattisgarh based company for procuring 400 MW for a period of three years and filed an application for allocation of corridor in June 2013 itself.The power grid allotted the transmission lines to Jindal and KSK Mahanadi. Aggrieved, KSEB approached CERC.
The commission ordered if the capacity was lesser than what was sought by a long term applicant, the available corridor should be allotted to medium term applicant (KSEB.). Jindal and KSK moved APTEL against the CERC order. A senior Tangedco official said with wind power season commencing, the state’s power supply position was good. “We are hopeful of completing the associated transmission corridor works in the Sholapur Raichur line by September. This will make available adequate transmission lines for our long term power purchase.”
