Sector Update | 21 November 2011
Utilities
Tamil Nadu DISCOMs tariff hike petition : a critical milestone
Steep tariff hike sought, recent State action - a key positive
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) has filed a tariff petition with Tamil Nadu
Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) after a gap of ~1.5 years (last tariff revision in August 2010,
after a gap of 7 years). Our channel checks suggests meaningful tariff increases for Agriculture (~7x), and
residential consumers (74-110%), etc. In our understanding, the proposed tariff hike would meet ~80% of
current under recoveries of INR100b, while balance could be contributed by State government in the
form of equity/subsidy.
The proposed tariff hike looks unprecedented, in our view, given political implications. While the tariff
hike will address recurring under-recoveries, the cumulative shortfall of ~INR500b+ remains a key challenge
to be addressed. Thus, this may call for possibility of debt recast. In 2QFY12, we witnessed Punjab National
Bank (PNB) converting short term loans to long term to address cashflow issues. As per the regulations,
we understand that the tariff finalization can occur in 120 days from filling and thus, we expect final order
in the matter to be available latest by March 2012. Most importantly, the State government's intent (as
indicated in the address to public) and action to raise prices of bus fare, milk price is key positive.
bringing about some discipline through two controlling
factors: Regulating flow of funds and adopting a non-
interference approach in commercial workings of CPSUs
(like NTPC, Coal India, PGCIL, etc). Financers like PFC,
etc have started insisting for incorporating clauses like
automatic pass through of fuel costs, filing tariff petitions
every year, etc. Appellate Tribunal of Electricity has also
facilitated measures for a suo moto tariff increase by the
regulator, in case of default by the discoms.
Fuel availability a key issue to be addressed now:
The key issue to be addressed now by the Central
government is fuel availability (to improve viability of power
sector). There have been several instances of
A landmark event:
The proposed tariff hike, in our view,
is a landmark event in the Indian Utilities space, more so
given the apprehensions on political will. Tamil Nadu was
the highest loss making State in FY09 and second highest
in FY10. Though the details are likely to flow in as regulator
will formally admit the tariff petition and put on website, the
intent is very positive. This also sets a practice of filing
tariff petitions every year.
Several factors contributing to improved viability of
DISCOMs:
During the past 18 months, 22 states have
raised tariffs including Rajasthan (tariff hike of 23%, highest
loss making state). While power distribution remains a state
subject, Central government has largely succeeded in
SEB Finances: FY12 to be tipping point
Detailed Sector Report
Just an eclipse ......
brighter days ahead!
SEB Finances:
Set to improve
FY12 to be tipping point
for SEB losses
SEB FY10 financial
analysis
Incremental losses
coming down
Meeting with
TANGEDCO/TNERC
Roadmap exists to
achieve financial viability
Rajasthan tariff hike
Up by 23%;
a progressive step
Nalin Bhatt
(NalinBhatt@MotilalOswal.com) +91 22 3982 5429
Satyam Agarwal
(AgarwalS@MotilalOswal.com)
/ Vishal Periwal
(Vishal.Periwal@MotilalOswal.com)