CSERC Approves Exemption Allowing Captive Solar Power Use Without Dedicated Feeder In Chhattisgarh

In a major regulatory development, the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) approved a significant exemption for M/s Academic World School, located in Village Lolesara, Bemetara. This decision allows the school to utilize solar power generated by its parent company, Vakrangee Packaging LLP (Solar Division), without having to construct a dedicated feeder line, which is usually mandatory under the open access regulations. The case was filed under Petition No. 57 of 2025 and marks a notable step in enabling educational institutions to access captive solar energy more efficiently.

M/s Academic World School operates under the Vakrangee Foundation and has a contract demand of 540 KVA. The institution currently sources electricity from a 33 kV line connected to the Bemetara substation. Its parent company, Vakrangee Packaging LLP, runs a 4.2 MW (DC) solar power plant at Village Bhibhauri, which achieved grid connectivity approval and was commissioned in April 2022. The solar power plant injects electricity into the grid at the 33 kV Tohada substation.

The school approached the Commission seeking an exemption from the rule that requires consumers using open access for solar power to have a separate dedicated feeder line. The petitioner argued that their solar power requirement was relatively small compared to the total capacity of the feeder and that constructing a new dedicated feeder was neither practical nor financially viable. They referred to clause 5(5) of the CSERC (Connectivity and Intra-State Open Access) Regulations, 2011, which empowers the Commission to allow such exemptions for bulk consumers if they agree to abide by specific load limitations and technical requirements.

The respondents in the case included the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) and the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited (CSPTCL). Both entities stated that they had no objections to the exemption being granted, provided the school complied with certain technical and operational conditions. CSPDCL clarified that the school must install all necessary metering and communication equipment, including an Availability Based Tariff (ABT) meter with Automated Meter Reading (AMR) facilities and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) for online data transmission. This installation must conform to the prevailing metering standards and ensure transparent monitoring of power usage.

Additionally, CSPDCL required the school to submit a written undertaking confirming that it would not raise any claims or disputes in cases of power interruption, maintenance shutdown, or non-operation of the existing multi-consumer high-voltage 33 kV Bemetara Rural feeder, which currently supplies electricity to multiple users. CSPTCL supported the position of CSPDCL and further confirmed that transmitting solar power from the Tohada substation, where Vakrangee Packaging’s solar plant injects energy, to the Bemetara substation, where the school receives power, was technically feasible within the state’s existing grid infrastructure.

After considering the arguments from all sides, including the submissions made by Shri Rahul Nandwana representing the petitioner and the engineers representing the power utilities, the Commission concluded that the request was justified. CSERC observed that the regulations do allow for exemptions in genuine cases if proper reasons are documented and all conditions are fulfilled. The Commission’s order, signed by Member (Law) Vivek Ganodwale and Member (Technical) Ajay Kumar Singh, stated that M/s Academic World School would be exempted from the requirement of having a dedicated feeder for open access to its solar power source. This exemption, however, is strictly conditional upon compliance with all the technical and operational obligations outlined by CSPDCL and CSPTCL.

With this decision, the school can now draw solar energy generated by its parent company through the existing common distribution feeder, marking a progressive regulatory move to support captive solar consumption in Chhattisgarh’s education sector.