Gold Star Steels Pvt. Ltd., a steel manufacturing company based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, filed a petition before the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) seeking exemption from the requirement of having a dedicated feeder to avail open access for drawing solar power for captive use. The company is setting up a 7.5 MW (AC) solar PV power plant at Village Malda (Khapri) in Bemetara district and plans to use the generated power at its manufacturing unit through the state electricity grid.
According to the petitioner, the solar power plant was synchronized with the grid on April 23, 2025. Gold Star Steels requested the Commission to allow open access through a common distribution feeder, arguing that the solar power drawl would be negligible and a dedicated feeder is not economically feasible. The petitioner also agreed to install data communication facilities and proper metering systems and to comply with any load restrictions imposed by the distribution company.
CSPDCL, the distribution licensee, acknowledged the petition and referred to clause 5(5) of the CSERC Open Access Regulations, 2011, which allows exemption from dedicated feeder requirements in special cases if approved by the Commission. CSPDCL recommended granting the exemption, subject to specific conditions, including the installation of ABT meters with remote monitoring, and an undertaking from the petitioner accepting no liability in case of power interruptions on the multi-consumer feeder.
CSPTCL, the transmission licensee, also had no objection and confirmed that the transmission infrastructure could support the power transfer from the solar plant to the user’s facility. They also reiterated the need for ABT metering and remote communication at the drawl point and required the petitioner to agree to load restrictions and operational conditions.
After reviewing all submissions and verifying the petitioner’s compliance with the conditions, CSERC approved the exemption. The Commission allowed the use of the common distribution feeder for open access under clause 5(5) of the regulations, provided that all technical and regulatory conditions set by CSPDCL and CSPTCL are fulfilled.
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