Tata Power threatens legal action against SLDC
EB Bureau
Tata Power has warned state load dispatch center (SLDC) of legal action if it doesn’t oblige Tata Power by allocating 160 Mw power to Tata Power’s distribution arm and also questioned SLDC’s status as a autonomous body. 
The Tata Power last week announced it was withdrawing 160MW power as required for their new consumers from Sunday and not from June 30 as suggested by a state appointed-committee. However SLDC had refused to schedule the power saying the matter had been referred by the state government to Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).
In a letter threatening legal action, TPC has said that, SLDC’s refusal to schedule the power on purported advice from a “senior authority” clear infringes the role as laid down under section 32 of the Electricity Act 2003. The letter claims, section 32 says SLDC is responsible for optimum scheduling and dispatch of electricity within a state in accordance with the contracts entered with the licensees or generating companies operating in that state.
In Tata Power’s case, the 160 Mw power was scheduled on the basis of contracts with Tata Power – Distribution. Open access for this transaction has also been duly approved and granted. Once the contract between the generator / trader or the distribution company is in place, SLDC has no discretion in the matter but schedule the power as per terms of contract.
Being an independent body, SLDC is not required to take any directions from a “senior authority’’ (read state government) in the matter of scheduling,’’ V R Shrikhande, deputy general manager of the company.
The SLDC’s refusal has resulted in Tata Power (D) suffering an additional burden of Rs 60 lakh per day and which will have to be borne by their consumers. “The failure to carry out their duty means SLDC would also be liable to compensate this amount,’’ Shirkhande has warned.
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