Author: PPD Team Date: 11/04/2025
MERC stays tariff order issued for 2025-26 to 2029-30 following MSEDCL’s application
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has stayed the tariff order dated March 28, 2025, in Case No. 217 of 2024, following a petition from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The order, which revised retail tariffs effective from April 1, 2025, was contested by MSEDCL due to apparent errors in the document.
MSEDCL’s advocate submitted that the tariff order contained errors that could significantly affect the tariff set for the 5th Control Period (FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30). The company argued that the implementation of the order would result in serious harm to consumers and stakeholders in Maharashtra, including the distribution licensee.
In response, MERC has decided to stay the March 28 tariff order until MSEDCL files a detailed review petition by the end of April 2025. In the interim, the tariff approved for FY 2024-25 in the previous order, dated March 31, 2023, will remain in effect.
Petition No: IA No. 42 of 2025 in Case No. 217 of 2024 | Read the full order here.
TNERC allows OPG Power to withdraw change-in-law petition; orders partial court fee refund
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has dismissed as withdrawn a dispute resolution petition filed by OPG Power Generation Pvt. Ltd. against the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TANGEDCO), while also permitting a partial refund of the court fee paid.
The petition, filed under D.R.P. No. 13 of 2024, sought a declaration that a series of environmental notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change between 2015 and 2022 constituted a “Change in Law” under Article 10 of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) dated December 12, 2013. OPG Power had also requested recognition of a plant shutdown for NOx abatement system installation as “deemed availability” for the purpose of receiving ₹10.09 crore in capacity charges.
However, before the case progressed, OPG Power filed a memo dated November 12, 2024, seeking withdrawal of the petition, citing redundancy of the relief sought due to subsequent developments. The respondent, TANGEDCO, did not object to the withdrawal.
TNERC, applying its inherent powers under Regulation 48 of the TNERC Conduct of Business Regulations, 2004, allowed the withdrawal and ruled that the petitioner is entitled to a refund of 95% of the ₹10,09,123 court fee, retaining 5% for administrative costs. The Commission observed that since the case was still at an early stage and pleadings had not been completed, refunding the fee was consistent with principles of fairness and justice.
The Commission clarified that while there is no explicit regulation permitting a refund of fees for petitions already taken on file and numbered, such relief can be granted using its discretionary powers in appropriate circumstances. Both parties were directed to bear their own costs.
The petition now stands disposed.
Petition No: D.R.P.No.13 of 2024 | Read the full order here.
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