Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes speaking at the public hearing on Thursday.
PANAJI
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) on Thursday held a public hearing to review the Goa Electricity Department’s income and expenditure for 2024–25, including capital spending. During the hearing, Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes said the State government had provided Rs 181 crore as budget support to cover the revenue shortfall.
Fernandes said this support would ensure that electricity consumers do not face any increase in tariffs. “The shortfall is being absorbed by the government, so there will be no additional burden on consumers,” he said.
He explained that capital expenditure had increased mainly due to investments in strengthening basic infrastructure, especially underground cabling. Although the department’s actual spending was lower than the amounts approved earlier under most categories, he said higher capital spending was needed to modernise the power system.
The hearing also drew attention to regulatory requirements for consumers. Around 25,000 households and establishments will have to shift their electricity meters to more accessible locations, as required under JERC norms.
Fernandes acknowledged that the earlier bunched cable project had failed but did not place responsibility on any specific party. He said the ongoing underground cabling work would greatly improve reliability and quality of power supply.
Officials added that reforms such as smart metering and underground cabling are meant to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in Goa’s power sector, while protecting consumers from extra costs.
