Multi-storeys to pay for infrastructure cost

Multi-storey residential and commercial buildings have to shell out more to avail electricity connection with the proposed amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Code.

The consumers in the multi-storey buildings would be asked to bear the cost of infrastructure incurred by the Tangedco for extending power supply to the dwelling units within the group housing and commercial complex.

In the draft amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Code, Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed to collect from the developers of group housing and commercial complex the actual cost of extension of lines including distribution transformers and associated equipment erected in the consumer premises for energising the low tension service connections within for the group housing commercial complexes where the total floor area is 900 square metre and the total demand of all the LT services exceed 150 kilowatt.

“The distribution licensee (Tangedco) shall not extend the power supply to any other consumer from the distribution transformer erected in the premises of the group housing and commercial complex,” it said. TNERC has sought objection or suggestion on the amendments if any on or before August 7.

A senior Tangedco official said that hitherto the consumers seeking the power supply in the group housing and commercial complex would be asked to pay only the development charge but not for the equipment. “We have been spending up to Rs 5 lakh for a distribution transformer but the rate of return from the domestic service connections will be very less. So, we decided to collect the charges for the transformer from the consumers in the building spread over 900 square meters as it will be used exclusively from them alone,” the official said.

In the buildings and premises requiring LT service connections whose demand exceeds 5000 kilowatt and the total construction area of 30,000 square meters, TNERC’s proposed amendments insist on the developers submit the plan showing the place earmarked the area for the establishment of sub-station while applying for the temporary service connection itself.