By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission Monday spared domestic consumers from an increase in power tariffs. The rates by and large remained the same in other categories.
“The new rates, which would be applicable from Dec 1, would have minimal impact on the common man. There would be a fifty paise increase per unit in the high-tension (commercial) category. This is basically going to rationalise the rates in this category,” said commission chairman C. Balakrishnan to reporters here.
“One major reason why there has been no increase in tariff for domestic consumers is because of the excellent rains this year. September figures show that the state received 6,400 million units of water for hydropower generation,” he added.
Of the total installed capacity of 2,617 MW in the state, hydroelectric power constitutes 1,811 MW. Among the 30 power generating stations in Kerala, 24 are hydro-based, five are run on thermal power and one functions on wind power.
Contrary to speculation, the commission also spared the money-spinning IT industry from a hike.
The decision by the commission not to hike electricity tariffs has come as a surprise as state Power Minister A.K. Balan has been talking about an across the board hike.