Surat: Industrial units will now get two additional hours to exploit daytime electricity discounts, as the state moves to promote solar power use and cut reliance on costlier evening and night energy.Earlier, industry received a discount of 60 paise per unit for power used between 11am and 3pm. Under the revised arrangement, the concession will now be available until 5pm. The benefit applies to consumers using smart meters, which enable hour-wise measurement of electricity consumption.The initiative is expected to encourage industries in South Gujarat to shift part of their operations to daytime hours, when solar power generation is higher. Officials estimate that such a shift could help industries save around Rs 128 crore annually.“The move will improve load management for the power distribution system. Solar power supplied during the day is cheaper than electricity sourced later from conventional sources such as thermal plants. Increasing daytime consumption will help optimize use of lower-cost solar energy and reduce pressure on the grid after sunset,” said an official from Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd.The discom added that the lower cost of solar power has enabled it to pass on the benefit to industrial consumers. The extended discount window is expected to support both cost savings and more efficient energy use.Welcoming the move, Nikhil Madrasi, president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), said it would benefit energy-intensive industries by reducing production costs and improving competitiveness. He added that the chamber had raised the issue with the govt earlier.Additionally, the condition of having a prepaid smart meter to avail the time-of-use discount has been removed. All eligible consumers with smart meters can now avail the benefit, ensuring wider access.The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has also kept base tariff rates unchanged across categories, offering further relief to industries.
