Regulatory Developments in Power Distribution Sector: June 2, 2025

  APTEL upholds regulatory order on tariff and VCA charge disputes in Chhattisgarh The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) on 15 May 2025 ruled on Appeal No. 286 of 2017, filed by Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Ltd (CSPDCL), challenging a 2017 tariff order issued by the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC). The appeal raised six key issues related to annual revenue requirement (ARR) calculations and billing of Variable Cost Adjustment (VCA) charges. The…

Regulatory Developments in Renewable Sector: June 2, 2025

  RERC finalises Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2025  The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has finalised the Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) Regulations, 2025, with the order issued on 21 May 2025. Developed following stakeholder consultations, the regulations aim to promote renewable energy adoption while addressing critical issues such as eligibility, banking, charges, and dispute resolution. Under the new framework, consumers with a contract demand of 100 kW or more are eligible for green…

Regulatory Developments in Power Generation Sector: June 2, 2025

  APTEL orders tariff re-determination for GI Hydro project The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) on 26 May 2025 directed the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to re-determine the tariff for the 110 MW Chuzachen hydroelectric project in Sikkim, developed by GI Hydro Pvt Ltd (formerly Gati Infrastructure). The Tribunal held that HERC wrongly applied its 2012 MYT Regulations instead of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Tariff Regulations, 2014. GI Hydro had filed an…

Regulatory Developments in Power Transmission Sector: June 2, 2025

  APTEL rejects CERC order, says developers not liable for abandoned Vemagiri transmission costs On 27 May 2025, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) set aside a 2015 order by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) that had directed gas-based power developers—Samalkot Power Ltd and Spectrum Power Generation Ltd—to reimburse 80% of the acquisition cost of the Vemagiri Transmission System Ltd (VTSL) to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). The Tribunal held the order…

Regulatory Developments in Power Trading Sector: June 2, 2025

  SECI withdraws tariff adoption plea for 200 MW peak supply project  The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has allowed Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) to withdraw its petition seeking adoption of tariff for a 200 MW assured peak supply project awarded under the SECI FDRE VI scheme. In its order dated 15 May 2025, the Commission noted SECI’s submission that power sale agreements (PSAs) with distribution companies had not yet been finalized,…

Miscellaneous Regulatory Developments in Power Sector: June 2, 2025

CERC disposes of ACME petition after CTUIL agrees to consider earlier financial closure documents The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on 26 May 2025 disposed of a petition filed by ACME Solar Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries after the Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) agreed to consider previously submitted financial closure documents in line with earlier Commission directions. ACME approached the Commission under Sections 79(1)(c), 79(1)(f), and 79(1)(k) of the Electricity Act, 2003,…

Regulatory Developments in Power Trading Sector: May 19, 2025

  CERC grants Category V trading licence to Visan Infrastructure The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved a Category V interstate electricity trading licence for Visan Infrastructure Private Limited (VIPL), allowing it to trade electricity across India. The order follows VIPL’s compliance with regulatory norms on financial capacity and technical expertise. Under the Trading Licence Regulations, 2020, Category V licensees require a net worth of Rs 20 million and a liquidity ratio of at…

Regulatory Developments in Power Transmission Sector: May 19, 2025

  TNERC issues draft 2025 Grid Code  The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has released the draft Tamil Nadu Electricity Grid Code, 2025 (TNEGC), repealing the 2005 version. The draft aims to align grid operations with the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC), 2023, and invites public comments until June 11, 2025. The Code will apply to all users of the intra-state transmission system, including the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), State Transmission Utility (STU),…

Regulatory Developments in Power Generation Sector: May 19, 2025

  APTEL recognises fly ash and coal charge hikes as Change in Law The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has overturned the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC) order, declaring additional fly ash transport costs and revised coal charges as “Change in Law” (CIL) events under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between RattanIndia Power Limited and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL). The case involved three claims. First, APTEL ruled that the Ministry of Environment’s 2016 and…

Regulatory Developments in Renewable Sector: May 16, 2025

  GERC approves tariffs for 500 MW BESS under GUVNL’s Phase-IV tender The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has approved tariffs discovered through Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited’s (GUVNL) Phase-IV global bidding for standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a capacity of 500 MW/1000 MWh. The procurement is aimed at meeting Gujarat’s Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Energy Storage Obligations (ESO) as mandated by the Ministry of Power. The petition was filed under Sections…