Varun Beverages Limited (VBL), a major industrial consumer in Maharashtra and a key franchisee of PepsiCo, filed a petition with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) seeking directions to process its net billing application and allow simultaneous operation of rooftop solar under net billing along with open access. VBL, with a sanctioned load of 17,041 kW and a contract demand of 9,990 kW, plans to install a 3.8 MW rooftop solar system at its Supa Parner Industrial facility in Ahmednagar. The application for net billing was submitted on 21 April 2024, with the required documents submitted by 26 June 2024. Despite a reminder on 4 July 2024, there was no response from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL).
VBL argued that the delay was unjustified and in violation of the MERC Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems (RREGS) Regulations, 2019, and the First Amendment Regulations, 2023, which stipulate a 15-day limit for technical feasibility studies and a seven-day window to provide approval if feasible. The petitioner also highlighted that the amended regulations entitle consumers to a compensation of ₹500 per day in case of delay.
During the e-hearing on 10 September 2024, MERC directed MSEDCL to comply with the amended regulations and respond within a week, emphasizing that the challenged regulations had no stay from the Bombay High Court. At a subsequent hearing on 20 September 2024, MSEDCL apologized for the delay and attributed it to IT system issues. The Commission instructed MSEDCL to process VBL’s application within seven days and handle other pending applications within thirty days.
On 25 September 2024, MSEDCL approved VBL’s application, later issuing a corrected approval on 28 October 2024 allowing connectivity to the LT side of the meter. However, VBL continued to face delays in finalizing the Net Billing Connection Agreement, despite paying supervision charges and submitting compliance documentation. VBL urged the Commission to direct MSEDCL to sign the agreement as mandated.
MSEDCL argued that VBL’s open access (OA) transactions fell under Green Energy Open Access (GEOA), and only the Grid Controller of India could approve such transactions. However, VBL clarified that it had obtained Short-Term and Medium-Term Open Access approvals within the state from MSEDCL itself between August and September 2024. VBL emphasized that its petition did not seek GEOA but rather clarity on simultaneous Net Billing and OA use, which is supported by the DOA Second Amendment Regulations, 2023.
The Commission ruled in favor of VBL on 18 June 2025. It directed MSEDCL to execute the Net Billing Connection Agreement with VBL before synchronization of the system and ordered MSEDCL to compensate VBL and other consumers for delays, as per the provisions of the First Amendment Regulations, 2023. The Commission confirmed that eligible consumers can simultaneously avail of rooftop solar under net billing and open access, reiterating that MSEDCL’s contradictory stance on jurisdiction was unacceptable.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
