TGERC Grants Licence to TGRPDCL, Clears Way for Telangana’s Third Power Distributor

Hyderabad:The new state-owned company will supply electricity to agricultural and other government-supported consumer categories across the state as Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) has granted distribution licence to Telangana Rythu Power Distribution Company Limited (TGRPDCL).

In an order dated July 10, TGERC approved TGRPDCL’s petition and amended licences of Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TGNPDCL) and Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TGSPDCL) under the Electricity Act, 2003. The decision follows a public hearing on May 29 and a detailed review of objections and submissions from farmer groups, employee unions, consumer bodies and power-sector experts.

The licence covers agricultural consumers, lift irrigation scheme consumers, Mission Bhagiratha and other composite protected water supply schemes, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), and municipal drinking-water connections served through separate distribution transformers. TGERC recorded the state government’s assurance that free electricity for agricultural consumers will continue and that individual agricultural pump-sets will not be fitted with meters.

TGERC said the licence will become effective only after the Telangana government issues a statutory transfer scheme under the Electricity Act and after TGRPDCL files the required application under the distribution licence regulations, 2016. TGERC set the company’s business commencement date at four months from the order date, subject to fulfilment of these conditions.

TGRPDCL must set up at least two consumer grievance redressal forums before starting operations and until then, the existing forums of TGSPDCL and TGNPDCL will handle complaints. New connection approvals must continue during the transfer. TGERC will monitor the transition and may issue further directions in the public interest, the order said.