Your power bills may go up slightly

NEW DELHI: As the chill sets in the winter load in the city is increasing and regulatory body Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission ( DERC) might soon allow the fuel cost adjustment formula. For several months, power companies have been petitioning for this. This is likely to get reflected in consumers’ power bills, though officials said the increase would be minimal.

According to sources, the three discoms in Delhi — BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and NDPL — have been campaigning for implementation of this formula for close to a year. In this, discoms will be able to get full recovery of their expenses on a quarterly or bimonthly basis , which will help in shoring up their finances. ‘‘ This is also mentioned under the Electricity Act.

Instead of waiting for all costs to be trued up at the end of the year, the expenses will be given to discoms on a fixed basis . At present, fuel suppliers recover their dues from power companies every month, but discoms are able to get their dues only when all their expenses are trued up at the end of the year. As fuel costs vary frequently , it is best if discoms make their recovery at the earliest ,’’ said an official.

The regulator might also allow fuel surcharge to discoms, which is already allowed in 17 states. ‘‘ Fuel cost surcharge can be levied every month, which will help discoms recover their dues faster,’’ said a source. Officials added that all attempts were being made to ensure that discoms do not resort to loadshedding during peak hours in winter months by claiming that there is a paucity of funds.