Electricity Tariff Models & Way Forward
8th November 2013

Chennai

Dr Harish K Ahuja
President
Strategy & Corporate Affairs

08/11/2013

1
Structure
Power sector Reforms : Fundamentals
Tariff models: 3 models
Cost of Service model : Basic regulatory economics, Approach , Advantage & Disadvantage
Incentive regulations: Approach , Advantage & Disadvantage & limitations
Hybrid Model : Approach & example
Why competition works better than regulations & privitization
Focal issues for taking discoms towards competitive mode.
Some conclusions : Create Prosumers

08/11/2013

2
08/11/2013

Moser Baer Projects Pvt Ltd

3

Private and Confidential – For Limited Circulation Only
Moser Baer Projects – Group Structure
Moser Baer
Projects

Moser Baer (Projects Private Ltd. (MBPPL)
Group
•

Key Investors: Blackstone, IFCI, GE

•

Hydro

Clean Energy (Incl.
Solar Farms)

Coal Mining

Thermal: Madhya Pradesh power project:
2,520 MW, Chhattisgarh power project, 1,320
MW

•

Thermal

Solar:
•
•

Domestic – 223 MW Commissioned
International: 63 MW Commissioned

•

Hydro: North Eastern India and Nepal 2000
MW, Himachal Pradesh ~500 MW

•

Coal Mining: Chhattisgarh

Company is committed to high quality, low cost and timely
delivery of world class projects

08/11/2013

4
08/11/2013

5
Economics of
Power reforms
08/11/2013

6
Circle of Power Sector Economics
Multi Buyer Multi
Supplier
Market Forces

Generation

Retail supply

Discoms

Transmission Distribution

Natural MonopolyRegulation
08/11/2013

7
Unbundling and Competition
Competition

Regulation
Regulation

Competition
08/11/2013

8
Basic Elements of Power Reform
To bring Multiple Players especially in competitive
segments i.e. Generation and Retail supply

Economic regulation
SET UP Independent REGULATOR to check Monopoly Practices in Distribution/Transmission
and avoid Market Power in generation

Competition
IN Generation and Retail supply segment
• By Competitive wholesale Market
• By Competitive Retail market

08/11/2013

9
Different Tariff
Models

08/11/2013

10
Different components of Retail
Tariff
Power Purchase Cost - Genco- Deregulated
Inter state transmission charge (POC)- PGCIL
Intra state transmission charge - Transco
Distribution Wheeling - Discom
Cross subsidy Surcharge (Area Discom)
Additional Surcharge ( Area Discom)
Scheduling Charge( SLDC)
Retail supply margin – Supplier - Deregulated
SLDC)

08/11/2013

11
Basic Models Of Regulatory tariff
1. Cost of Service or Rate of Return

Regulations
2. Incentive Regulations
Price cap (RPI-X )

3. Hybrid Approach

08/11/2013

12
BASIC ECONOMICS
OF
COST PLUS REGULATIONS

08/11/2013

13
The competitive firm short run
supply curve

08/11/2013

14
A competitive firm –Long term
supply curve

08/11/2013

15
08/11/2013

16
Profit in long term in perfect competitive
market
Accounting Profit=
Economic Profit + opportunity cost of capital(WACC)
In Long Run for a firm in perfect competitive market ,
Economic Profit= 0
So Accounting Profit = Opportunity cost of
Capital (WACC)

08/11/2013

17
Economic Value Addition
EVA = Capital Employed ( ROCE –WACC)
In Power sector – Only WACC is allowed
WACC = Equity X ROE + Debt X ROD
It is called ROCE approach also
EVA in regulatory tariff setting is Zero
Regulator in cost plus regulation allows only WACC
treating firms are in a perfect competition and
economic profit is zero
08/11/2013

18
Cost of Service Regulations
Approach
The Regulated Firm effectively submit a bill (ARR) for its
operating expenses and capital Cost, including an
After-Tax Return on its Investment.
Equal or Exceed his cost of capital, and the Regulator
passes this cost through in the tariff charged after due
prudence check
EA 2003 & National tariff policy covers cost +
regulations to attract investments
08/11/2013

19
Cost + Regulations
Advantages
Credible approach to attract long term investments in capital starved
power sector
Reduces the expropriation risk on high cost sunk investments.
Attract large quantum of investments in short span of time as investors
are assured about recovery of operational & capital investments with
reasonable returns (Average Total Cost)
Disadvantages
Information asymmetry between Regulator & Regulated firm
Regulatory capture – Transfer of firms & market risk from company to
consumers
Rent seeking behavior – Gold platting of capital exp.
Moral Hazard : promote inefficiency
Good for only High Cost firmsv
08/11/2013

20
Understanding
Incentive
Regulations
08/11/2013

21
Incentive Regulations
Approach
The regulator defines ex ante a set of prices (or a weighted
average of prices for different services )that the regulated
firm will be allowed to charge consumer for the services .
Price adjustments formula is tied to exogenous variables(
for example, general inflation and an assumed rate of
productivity growth) going forward.

The prices are not tied directly to the regulated firm cost or
profits.
The applicability of tariff is for longer period 4-5 years
08/11/2013

22
RPI-X
Advantages
Promote Efficiency/motivation by offering upfront
incentives for low cost firms.
Moderate rent extraction.
Tariff certainty for 3-4 years : Offer comfort to investors.
Disadvantages
Low tariff cap may create indirect penalties for poor quality.
Weak in enforcing firms to pass on the savings/efficiency
to end consumers.
High Tariff cap may offer high rents to investors
Social stress : poor may not seek quick remedy.
Create Entry barrier for new investors
08/11/2013

23
Incentive regulations
Prerequisite for adopting this approach
Sound Regulator information system : Excellent
information required for firms cost - not to fix price
cap too low which may go below ATC.
In India where electricity prices have been too low, a
credible fixed-price contract that set prices high
enough to yield attractive returns can be very effective
in attracting investment funds.
Setting a cap not too low or too high : Moral hazard vs
lazy rat
08/11/2013

24
Best Approach : Hybrid
The form of a profit sharing contract : The
regulated firm can charge tariff partially
responsive to changes in realized costs and
partially fixed ex ante (more generally, by offering a
menu of cost-contingent regulatory contracts)
The basic idea here is to make it profitable for a
firm with low cost opportunities to choose a
relatively high powered incentive scheme and a
firm with high cost opportunities a relatively low
powered scheme.

08/11/2013

25
Hybrid approach
R (revenue) = a ( Fixed component) + (1-b) C (contingent
cost)
b : Sharing parameter based on responsiveness of Firm’s efficiency
Under a fixed price contract or price cap regulation:
a = C* where C* is the regulator’s assessment of the “efficient” costs of the highest cost type and
b=1
Under pure cost of service regulation where the regulator can observe the firm’s
expenditures but not evaluate their efficiency:
a=0
b=0
Under profit sharing contract or sliding scale regulation (Performance Based Regulaion
0<b<1
0 < a < C*
08/11/2013

26
08/11/2013

27
Evolution of Tariff
Models when power
markets becomes more
competitive
08/11/2013

28
Power Reforms : A Gradual & thoughtful Process

Norway
Sweden
Singapore
PJM
Victoria state of
Australia
UK

DELHI-In Reform Trajectory

India

29
How to Address Focal
issues while taking
discoms to competition
08/11/2013

30
Focal issues
- Discoms Bailout : What Next

- Role of regulators!

1
ry

4

2

3
Privitization of
supply/content side!
08/11/2013

- Unbundle Discoms : Wire & content!

!
31
Discom Bailout : what next

4

3

08/11/2013

1

2

32
Where is Competition
•It is a
established fact
that neither
regulations nor
privatization
works ,it’s the
competition
which serves the
best of interests
of electricity
consumers )

Multi Buyer Multi Supplier
Market Forces

Generation
Very
Good

Retail supply

Open Access

Transmission
Good

Average

Distribution
Poor

Natural MonopolyRegulation
08/11/2013

33
2

Unbunble Discoms!
•

Promote competition on Demand side

(It is a established fact that neither regulations
nor privatization works ,it’s the competition
Wheeling Business
Supply Business
which serves the best of interests of electricity
REGULATED
consumers )
Competition/Deregulation
•

•
•
•

Transparent Billing

•

Initiate horuly metering drive by
directing discoms to put
smart/ABT meters

•

Separate Wheeling & supply business.
•Discoms & other retail Players
•Let area discom supply company
be default supplier for few more
years i.e spot rates.

•
•

. Promote direct subsidy to poor
domestic& farmers through Smart
cards.

•Issue Guidilines for retail supplier
on switching .

•

Promotion of renewable through
regulatory cess in the begining till
grid parity is achieved.

•Allow more consumers to be open
access/deregulated in next 8 years ie
300 KW, 36000Units per year

•

APDRP: Mainly to strenghten
distribution & transmission
network

•Open Derivative markets in next 23 years to see price visibility.

•
08/11/2013

Reduce cross subsidy

Let Pension Funds & Insurance
invest money in regulated wheeling
business

34
3
Supplier
Privitization Of Discoms
Past
PPP model & Private discoms
Delhi, Orissa, Surat, Mumbai,Ahemdabad,
Noida, Calutta etc

Chaturvedi Commitee :Mixed
reactions
Present
Frenchaisee
Bhiwandi, Agra,Jalgaon
Shunglu commitee : Mixed reactions

08/11/2013

•FUTURE
•No more transitory model.
•Bring in more suppliers
•Deregulated consumer
can not be
charged with regulated tariff
•

•SERC can not regulate Tariff for
Deregulated consumers except CX &
•
wheeling charges
•Even for charging power purchase cost
explicit agreement of consumer necessary
• Open access consumers do not need
permission of Discoms to choose other
suppliers,
•
•Just information is sufficient
• Discoms though will be default supplier,
but tariff would be mutually discussed.

35
4
Role of Regulators
•

CERC

•

Move towards Price cap
regulations instead of
cost plus especially for
interstate transmission :
to avoid gold platting

•

Open Access – Building
Concensus

•
•

08/11/2013

Effective ISO- POSCO
Derivative markets to
give long term price
signals
to
attract
investment

SERC –
•

Tariff Fixation in regular intervals

•

Reducing Cross subsidy in +- 20%

•

Intrastate POC – not visible

•

Enforcing
shedding.

•

Prescribe I cap – 18% reserve margin with
supplier

•

Enforcing RPO/SPO : promoting prosumers

•

Promoting deguralations/open access: By
putting in place timelines for diffrerent loads ;
0.5 MW,100 KWS/50 K units

•

Invest in ABT compliant meters to record
houry consumption.

•

Promote direct subsidy to poor dom & farmers
through Smart cards.

•

Promote use of solar pumps instead of
seprate feede for agriculture

Performance

stds-

No

Load

36
Create Prosumers

“Electricity for all”
Electricity generated would meet the Prosumer’s growing electricity
demand and the surplus units would be feed back to the grid
Ensures political backing and support
Allows for capital and interest subsidy to be directly given to the
consumer
Rational planning for long term power procurement”
More prosumers will reduce power demand ,in turn will affect
capacity addition.
Saving in Transmission and Distribution cost
R-APDRP (Part B) –Already in place
R-APDRP Aims at - Renovation, modernization and strengthening the
system
With Net Metering, Discom can better serve energy deficit customers
(industrial & commercial) & be more profitable, thus improving their
financial health & reducing liabilities
IT clubbed with Net Metering defined as a set of IT hardware, software and
applications can reduce energy losses

08/11/2013

37
Thank You

08/11/2013

38

Mcc tariff models dr harish ahuja

  • 1.
    Electricity Tariff Models& Way Forward 8th November 2013 Chennai Dr Harish K Ahuja President Strategy & Corporate Affairs 08/11/2013 1
  • 2.
    Structure Power sector Reforms: Fundamentals Tariff models: 3 models Cost of Service model : Basic regulatory economics, Approach , Advantage & Disadvantage Incentive regulations: Approach , Advantage & Disadvantage & limitations Hybrid Model : Approach & example Why competition works better than regulations & privitization Focal issues for taking discoms towards competitive mode. Some conclusions : Create Prosumers 08/11/2013 2
  • 3.
    08/11/2013 Moser Baer ProjectsPvt Ltd 3 Private and Confidential – For Limited Circulation Only
  • 4.
    Moser Baer Projects– Group Structure Moser Baer Projects Moser Baer (Projects Private Ltd. (MBPPL) Group • Key Investors: Blackstone, IFCI, GE • Hydro Clean Energy (Incl. Solar Farms) Coal Mining Thermal: Madhya Pradesh power project: 2,520 MW, Chhattisgarh power project, 1,320 MW • Thermal Solar: • • Domestic – 223 MW Commissioned International: 63 MW Commissioned • Hydro: North Eastern India and Nepal 2000 MW, Himachal Pradesh ~500 MW • Coal Mining: Chhattisgarh Company is committed to high quality, low cost and timely delivery of world class projects 08/11/2013 4
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    Circle of PowerSector Economics Multi Buyer Multi Supplier Market Forces Generation Retail supply Discoms Transmission Distribution Natural MonopolyRegulation 08/11/2013 7
  • 8.
  • 9.
    Basic Elements ofPower Reform To bring Multiple Players especially in competitive segments i.e. Generation and Retail supply Economic regulation SET UP Independent REGULATOR to check Monopoly Practices in Distribution/Transmission and avoid Market Power in generation Competition IN Generation and Retail supply segment • By Competitive wholesale Market • By Competitive Retail market 08/11/2013 9
  • 10.
  • 11.
    Different components ofRetail Tariff Power Purchase Cost - Genco- Deregulated Inter state transmission charge (POC)- PGCIL Intra state transmission charge - Transco Distribution Wheeling - Discom Cross subsidy Surcharge (Area Discom) Additional Surcharge ( Area Discom) Scheduling Charge( SLDC) Retail supply margin – Supplier - Deregulated SLDC) 08/11/2013 11
  • 12.
    Basic Models OfRegulatory tariff 1. Cost of Service or Rate of Return Regulations 2. Incentive Regulations Price cap (RPI-X ) 3. Hybrid Approach 08/11/2013 12
  • 13.
    BASIC ECONOMICS OF COST PLUSREGULATIONS 08/11/2013 13
  • 14.
    The competitive firmshort run supply curve 08/11/2013 14
  • 15.
    A competitive firm–Long term supply curve 08/11/2013 15
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Profit in longterm in perfect competitive market Accounting Profit= Economic Profit + opportunity cost of capital(WACC) In Long Run for a firm in perfect competitive market , Economic Profit= 0 So Accounting Profit = Opportunity cost of Capital (WACC) 08/11/2013 17
  • 18.
    Economic Value Addition EVA= Capital Employed ( ROCE –WACC) In Power sector – Only WACC is allowed WACC = Equity X ROE + Debt X ROD It is called ROCE approach also EVA in regulatory tariff setting is Zero Regulator in cost plus regulation allows only WACC treating firms are in a perfect competition and economic profit is zero 08/11/2013 18
  • 19.
    Cost of ServiceRegulations Approach The Regulated Firm effectively submit a bill (ARR) for its operating expenses and capital Cost, including an After-Tax Return on its Investment. Equal or Exceed his cost of capital, and the Regulator passes this cost through in the tariff charged after due prudence check EA 2003 & National tariff policy covers cost + regulations to attract investments 08/11/2013 19
  • 20.
    Cost + Regulations Advantages Credibleapproach to attract long term investments in capital starved power sector Reduces the expropriation risk on high cost sunk investments. Attract large quantum of investments in short span of time as investors are assured about recovery of operational & capital investments with reasonable returns (Average Total Cost) Disadvantages Information asymmetry between Regulator & Regulated firm Regulatory capture – Transfer of firms & market risk from company to consumers Rent seeking behavior – Gold platting of capital exp. Moral Hazard : promote inefficiency Good for only High Cost firmsv 08/11/2013 20
  • 21.
  • 22.
    Incentive Regulations Approach The regulatordefines ex ante a set of prices (or a weighted average of prices for different services )that the regulated firm will be allowed to charge consumer for the services . Price adjustments formula is tied to exogenous variables( for example, general inflation and an assumed rate of productivity growth) going forward. The prices are not tied directly to the regulated firm cost or profits. The applicability of tariff is for longer period 4-5 years 08/11/2013 22
  • 23.
    RPI-X Advantages Promote Efficiency/motivation byoffering upfront incentives for low cost firms. Moderate rent extraction. Tariff certainty for 3-4 years : Offer comfort to investors. Disadvantages Low tariff cap may create indirect penalties for poor quality. Weak in enforcing firms to pass on the savings/efficiency to end consumers. High Tariff cap may offer high rents to investors Social stress : poor may not seek quick remedy. Create Entry barrier for new investors 08/11/2013 23
  • 24.
    Incentive regulations Prerequisite foradopting this approach Sound Regulator information system : Excellent information required for firms cost - not to fix price cap too low which may go below ATC. In India where electricity prices have been too low, a credible fixed-price contract that set prices high enough to yield attractive returns can be very effective in attracting investment funds. Setting a cap not too low or too high : Moral hazard vs lazy rat 08/11/2013 24
  • 25.
    Best Approach :Hybrid The form of a profit sharing contract : The regulated firm can charge tariff partially responsive to changes in realized costs and partially fixed ex ante (more generally, by offering a menu of cost-contingent regulatory contracts) The basic idea here is to make it profitable for a firm with low cost opportunities to choose a relatively high powered incentive scheme and a firm with high cost opportunities a relatively low powered scheme. 08/11/2013 25
  • 26.
    Hybrid approach R (revenue)= a ( Fixed component) + (1-b) C (contingent cost) b : Sharing parameter based on responsiveness of Firm’s efficiency Under a fixed price contract or price cap regulation: a = C* where C* is the regulator’s assessment of the “efficient” costs of the highest cost type and b=1 Under pure cost of service regulation where the regulator can observe the firm’s expenditures but not evaluate their efficiency: a=0 b=0 Under profit sharing contract or sliding scale regulation (Performance Based Regulaion 0<b<1 0 < a < C* 08/11/2013 26
  • 27.
  • 28.
    Evolution of Tariff Modelswhen power markets becomes more competitive 08/11/2013 28
  • 29.
    Power Reforms :A Gradual & thoughtful Process Norway Sweden Singapore PJM Victoria state of Australia UK DELHI-In Reform Trajectory India 29
  • 30.
    How to AddressFocal issues while taking discoms to competition 08/11/2013 30
  • 31.
    Focal issues - DiscomsBailout : What Next - Role of regulators! 1 ry 4 2 3 Privitization of supply/content side! 08/11/2013 - Unbundle Discoms : Wire & content! ! 31
  • 32.
    Discom Bailout :what next 4 3 08/11/2013 1 2 32
  • 33.
    Where is Competition •Itis a established fact that neither regulations nor privatization works ,it’s the competition which serves the best of interests of electricity consumers ) Multi Buyer Multi Supplier Market Forces Generation Very Good Retail supply Open Access Transmission Good Average Distribution Poor Natural MonopolyRegulation 08/11/2013 33
  • 34.
    2 Unbunble Discoms! • Promote competitionon Demand side (It is a established fact that neither regulations nor privatization works ,it’s the competition Wheeling Business Supply Business which serves the best of interests of electricity REGULATED consumers ) Competition/Deregulation • • • • Transparent Billing • Initiate horuly metering drive by directing discoms to put smart/ABT meters • Separate Wheeling & supply business. •Discoms & other retail Players •Let area discom supply company be default supplier for few more years i.e spot rates. • • . Promote direct subsidy to poor domestic& farmers through Smart cards. •Issue Guidilines for retail supplier on switching . • Promotion of renewable through regulatory cess in the begining till grid parity is achieved. •Allow more consumers to be open access/deregulated in next 8 years ie 300 KW, 36000Units per year • APDRP: Mainly to strenghten distribution & transmission network •Open Derivative markets in next 23 years to see price visibility. • 08/11/2013 Reduce cross subsidy Let Pension Funds & Insurance invest money in regulated wheeling business 34
  • 35.
    3 Supplier Privitization Of Discoms Past PPPmodel & Private discoms Delhi, Orissa, Surat, Mumbai,Ahemdabad, Noida, Calutta etc Chaturvedi Commitee :Mixed reactions Present Frenchaisee Bhiwandi, Agra,Jalgaon Shunglu commitee : Mixed reactions 08/11/2013 •FUTURE •No more transitory model. •Bring in more suppliers •Deregulated consumer can not be charged with regulated tariff • •SERC can not regulate Tariff for Deregulated consumers except CX & • wheeling charges •Even for charging power purchase cost explicit agreement of consumer necessary • Open access consumers do not need permission of Discoms to choose other suppliers, • •Just information is sufficient • Discoms though will be default supplier, but tariff would be mutually discussed. 35
  • 36.
    4 Role of Regulators • CERC • Movetowards Price cap regulations instead of cost plus especially for interstate transmission : to avoid gold platting • Open Access – Building Concensus • • 08/11/2013 Effective ISO- POSCO Derivative markets to give long term price signals to attract investment SERC – • Tariff Fixation in regular intervals • Reducing Cross subsidy in +- 20% • Intrastate POC – not visible • Enforcing shedding. • Prescribe I cap – 18% reserve margin with supplier • Enforcing RPO/SPO : promoting prosumers • Promoting deguralations/open access: By putting in place timelines for diffrerent loads ; 0.5 MW,100 KWS/50 K units • Invest in ABT compliant meters to record houry consumption. • Promote direct subsidy to poor dom & farmers through Smart cards. • Promote use of solar pumps instead of seprate feede for agriculture Performance stds- No Load 36
  • 37.
    Create Prosumers “Electricity forall” Electricity generated would meet the Prosumer’s growing electricity demand and the surplus units would be feed back to the grid Ensures political backing and support Allows for capital and interest subsidy to be directly given to the consumer Rational planning for long term power procurement” More prosumers will reduce power demand ,in turn will affect capacity addition. Saving in Transmission and Distribution cost R-APDRP (Part B) –Already in place R-APDRP Aims at - Renovation, modernization and strengthening the system With Net Metering, Discom can better serve energy deficit customers (industrial & commercial) & be more profitable, thus improving their financial health & reducing liabilities IT clubbed with Net Metering defined as a set of IT hardware, software and applications can reduce energy losses 08/11/2013 37
  • 38.