In a bid to reduce the burden on financially stretched power distribution companies (discoms), the Forum of Regulators (FOR) has suggested that the Centre should share the cost of stranded power with the states. It said central funding should cover the fixed cost being paid by the states for the power generation assets that are no longer functional. A recent report by FOR, the apex regulatory advisory body revealed, states across the country are bearing the cost of stranded power generation assets to the tune of Rs 17,442 crore. The report said 12 states are paying the fixed cost for the units which are no longer functional but the states continue to have power purchase agreements (PPAs) with them. The surplus energy from these units stands at 129,251 MUs for which the consumer is paying but not getting the electricity. "The fixed cost of stranded generation assets is being paid for by the consumers without getting any benefit. Surplus energy of this magnitude and resultant costs (in the range of Rs 1.34 per unit) are a matter of great concern," said the FOR report released last week. Most of the stranded units are gas-based power generation units which are not functioning for lack of domestic gas supply. Under the PPA, power discoms continue to pay fixed cost even if there is no supply. A stranded generation unit also pays interest costs to the bank. "Government should extend help to the discoms to meet the fixed cost of the PPAs associated with the stranded assets.