After Defiance By BESCOM, KERC Issues Fresh Order On Net-Metering

KERC issues New Guidelines for SRTPV Consumers

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has now issued a fresh order for the ESCOMS in Karnataka. This comes after the state power regulator found irregularities in the implementation of its earlier order where it talked about non-availability of the benefits of net metering facility for rooftop solar consumers who opt for open access connections.

The state power regulator said that several open access consumers reported the BESCOM issued a circular dated March 23, 2023 which was in contravention of the KERC order, issued on July 18, 2022. In the fresh order, the KERC said that as per PPA terms and conditions, ESCOMs should issue notice to the rooftop solar consumers who are in open access mechanism in compliance with the 2022 order of the KERC.

It also said that if a rooftop solar consumer wants to switch from a net metering arrangement to a gross metering arrangement as per the 2022 order of the KERC, they need to carry some modifications. This included monthly billing with gross metering. Accordingly, the ESCOM will issue a monthly electricity bill for the energy exported to the grid. This billing will occur on the scheduled date of meter reading. The consumer will be billed based on the gross energy they export, not on their total energy production or consumption.

“ESCOM shall pay for the gross energy exported as per the tariff agreed to in the PPA within 30 days of issuance of bill. The import of energy recorded in the existing bi-directional meter during the billing period for the consumption of electricity shall be billed as per the retail tariff in accordance with the Tariff Orders issued from time to time and shall be deducted out of the amount payable towards gross energy exported,” the KERC order said.

It also added, “If a SRTPV consumer opting for captive plant for self-consumption by installing Reverse Power Relay(RPR) or executing the wheeling agreement as the case may be, the existing PPA under Net metering shall be terminated.”

The KERC has emphasized that any deviation from the implementation of these new guidelines will be met with strict actions under the Electricity Act 2003. The concerned officers are accountable for ensuring compliance with the new rules, and the Commission will take appropriate measures if deviations are detected.