MERC Offers Extension to 9 Wind Generators to Install Special Energy Meters

MERC has approved the petition filed by 9 wind energy generators, granting a period of 3 months for installation of individual Special Energy Meters

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) in its latest order has approved the petition filed by nine renewable (mainly wind) energy generators, granting an extended period of 3 months for completing the process of installation of individual Special Energy Meters (SEM) at their wind generating stations.

The nine petitioners are Pragati Agencies, Sri Laxmi Industries, Sri Amareshwara industries, Sridevi Trading Company, Sri Tradco Company, Mahabal Auto Ancillary, Mahabal Metals, Serum Institute of India and AMJ Land Holding.

The petitioners had filed a petition with the state commission under Section 86 (e) of Electricity Act, 2003 (EA), Regulations17.8(a) of Distribution Open Access Regulations 2016 (DOA Regulations, 2016) and Regulations 92 to 94 of MERC [Conduct of Business] Regulations 2004 seeking directions to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) for accelerating and completing the process of Installation of individual Special Energy Meters (SEM) and for non-cancellation of OA permissions.

The main prayers of the petitioners were:

(a) That necessary directions be issued to MSEDCL to accelerate and complete the process of Installation of individual SEM at Petitioners Generating station,

(b) That Respondent be directed to not cancel the O.A. permission on this ground,

(c) All other just and equitable reliefs be granted in favour of the petitioners for the effective adjudication of this case.

As previously discussed, all the petitioners sought directions to MSEDCL to accelerate and complete the process of installation of Individual Special Energy Meters at the individual Generator end. The amazing thing? The requirement for installing the SEM’s came from MSEDCL itself! Not just that, all nine complainants pleased that MSEDCL had made a supplementary demand, orally, for installation of insulators too before the SEM’s could be installed.

A demand they refuse to put in writing. Even more interestingly, a demand that was contradicted by different circle offices of MSEDCL. The common fear of all producers? That by delaying the process, the MSEDCL will create a reason for cancellation of their Open Access Licence (OA), plunging projects into financial crisis and worse.

The mismatch between the time taken to have a project ready for synchronisation with the grid, and the availability of transmission facilities to do that, has been a major issue. Read more about it here in our story “The Red Tape Challenge. How RE Producers in India Are Squeezed.”

Based on the submission made by the petitioners and the respondent, and the findings of the commission based on the two hearings, dated November 14, 2019, and December 2, 2019, MERC has granted an additional period of three months from December 7, 2019, for completing installation of SEM at individual Generator end.

And, during the period of this extended timeline, the Discoms shall not deny Open Access to such consumer/ generator on account of non-installation of SEM at individual generators. Furthermore, MSEDCL has been directed to issue the circular/ guidelines on this issue in a clear and transparent manner which would avoid ambiguity and bring about uniformity across all its field offices.

For more information click here.