In a major development, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2022. The bill proposes crucial amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, the principal act governing the Indian power sector. It calls for significant changes in the distribution segment to enable competition in retail power supply through non-discriminatory open access to multiple distribution licensees in an area. This will give consumers the freedom to choose their electricity supplier rather than depending on the incumbent state-owned distribution utilities, many of which are inefficient and do not provide quality power. Expectedly, the bill was met with stiff opposition inside and outside Parliament due to concerns regarding the privatisation of distribution and dilution of the state governments’ control on power, which is a concurrent subject. The bill has now been referred to the standing committee for wider discussions with the stakeholders. Power Line takes a look at the key provisions of the bill and their likely impact…
Key highlights
The bill, as tabled in the Lok Sabha, states that while the Electricity Act, 2003 has facilitated the development of the power sector and brought in significant investments, the emerging challenges of sustainability, contract enforcement, payment security mechanism, energy transition and the need to provide choice to consumers necessitate amendments to the act. These amendments are also important to promote green energy in the context of global climate change concerns and India’s international commitments to increase the share of renewable energy. Further, there is a pressing need to strengthen the regulatory mechanisms in the act and introduce administrative reforms for improved corporate governance practices in distribution.
The bill seeks to amend sections 14 and 42 of the act in order to facilitate the use of distribution networks by all licensees under provisions of non-discriminatory open access (subject to the payment of wheeling charges) to enhance competition, improve the efficiency of distribution licensees for providing better services to consumers, and ensure the sustainability of the power sector. This will allow more licensees to operate in the area and supply power using the existing distribution network, thereby ending monopoly in distribution.
A new provision has been inserted in Section 60A of the act to facilitate the management of power purchase and cross-subsidy in the case of multiple distribution licensees in the same area of supply. Further, if the regulator does not accept or reject an entity’s application for a power distribution license within the stipulated time frame of 90 days, the licence will be presumed to have been issued. The move is targeted at reducing delays in the licensing process. In addition, in case of distribution of electricity in the same area of supply by two or more distribution licensees, the appropriate electricity regulatory commission is required to fix the maximum ceiling tariff and the minimum tariff for retail sale of electricity. The bill also seeks to ensure that the tariff covers all costs incurred by the licensees.
The bill proposes to amend Section 26 of the act in order to strengthen the functioning of the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) which needs to ensure that no electricity is scheduled or despatched unless adequate security of payment has been made, as prescribed by the central government.
Further, the bill specifies penalties for default by the obligated entities in meeting their renewable purchase obligation (RPO). Such entities will be liable to pay 25-35 paise per kWh for the shortfall in purchase in the first year and 35-50 paise per kWh for the shortfall in purchase after the first year of default. In addition, an amendment to Section 86 of the act is proposed to ensure that the RPOs specified by the states are not less than the trajectory prescribed by the central government. Other amendments include measures to strengthen the Forum of Regulators to prepare model regulations for the state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs); changes in qualifications for the post of chairpersons and members of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, and extension of the civil court powers to SERCs.
Conclusion
The amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, especially those aimed at reforming the distribution business, are long pending and have been attempted several times but are met with stiff resistance from states. However, given that distribution utilities in many states are highly inefficient and financially imprudent, the introduction of competition through multiple licensees is essential to bring in fiscal and operational discipline. However, it must be ensured that the new licensees do not indulge in cherry-picking and enter only urban areas while the incumbent utilities continue to serve less revenue-paying rural areas, which will adversely affect their finances. The other provisions of the bill are also in good stead and are likely to make the sector more investor friendly. Going forward, the industry stakeholders keenly await the passage of the bill, which offers hope for a promising future for the power sector. n
Neha Bhatnagar
