The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a notification addressing difficulties in implementing specific provisions of the Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2014. The notification, titled “Kerala Electricity Supply Code (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2025,” aims to resolve challenges in providing electricity connections to individual beneficiaries and collective bodies in residential colonies and villa projects. These issues often arise due to non-compliance by developers and promoters, including failure to complete projects, abandonment midway, or disputes pending with the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
The core problem revolves around the failure of developers to meet mandatory obligations such as constructing internal distribution networks and remitting expenses for system upgrades. This has hindered electricity supply to end-users, leaving many beneficiaries without basic amenities. The Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority, while empowered to protect consumer interests, lacks jurisdiction to instruct electricity licensees under the Electricity Act, 2003.
To address these challenges, the Commission has introduced a set of measures under the new order. Beneficiaries in such residential projects can now directly approach the licensee for service connections, bypassing delays caused by unresolved disputes or incomplete projects. The licensee will assess the applications and estimate the expenses required for system upgrades and internal distribution networks based on the connected load of individual premises. Applicants are required to remit their proportionate share of these expenses to avail connections.
For projects with a total load exceeding one megawatt, additional expenses for distribution system upgrades and internal network construction will be allocated among applicants proportionally. For projects with a load of one megawatt or below, the focus will be on constructing the internal distribution network, with similar cost-sharing provisions.
The order also specifies that the distribution licensee will maintain the internal distribution infrastructure and associated costs can be recovered through annual revenue requirements and expense recovery mechanisms. This ensures that the financial burden of these measures is fairly distributed among all beneficiaries over time.
By addressing these long-standing issues, the Commission aims to streamline the process of granting electricity connections in residential projects, ensuring equitable access for all consumers while maintaining financial and operational sustainability for distribution licensees.
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