Andhra Pradesh Discoms seek ERC nod to collect true-up charges of ₹12,771 cr

The three power distribution companies (discoms) in the state have filed a petition before Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), seeking permission to collect ₹12,771 crore from consumers through true-up charges. The ERC released the notification asking the public to file their objections/suggestions on the petitions filed by the discoms. The Left parties have demanded that the govt immediately withdraw the proposal.

According to the affidavit, SPDCL wants to collect ₹3,046 crore through true-up charges to recover the actual costs of power supplied from 2019 to 2024. APEPDCL has urged the commission to allow it to collect ₹7,790 crore, while APCPDCL wants to recover ₹1,935 crore. The discoms have been collecting fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) charges for the past three years. Recently, the distribution companies filed a petition before APERC seeking ratification of its decision to collect 40 paise per unit, which has been continuing for the past six months.

While APERC, in Nov 2024, allowed the discoms to recover ₹9,412 crore through FPPCA charges, the discoms levied nearly ₹14,000 crore burden on the consumers in the last one year, citing old dues.

However, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has made it clear that the govt has no plans to increase power tariff, adding that power tariff may be reduced in the coming days. He blamed the previous YSRCP govt for the discoms' move to collect the true-up and FPPCA charges. "The mismanagement and irregularities during the YSRCP regime forced discoms to recover the true-up and FPPCA charges from the consumer. The discoms have filed petitions to collect the dues pertaining to the YSRCP regime," Gottipati claimed.

Dismissing the minister's allegations, CPI-M leaders V Srinivasa Rao and Ch Baburao said blaming the previous regime is only a "cover-up act" by the TDP-led NDA govt, and warned of agitations across the state if the discoms did not withdraw the true-up charges notice.