CSERC Approves Open Access Exemption For Captive Solar Power Without Dedicated Feeder In Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission issued an order on December 4, 2025, regarding a petition filed by M/s Rituraj Steel Private Limited. The company had requested an exemption from the requirement of having a dedicated feeder to avail open access to use power generated from its Solar PV plant. The petition was filed under clause 5(5) of the CSERC Connectivity and Intra-State Open Access Regulations 2011 and the First Amendment Regulations 2012, along with Section 86(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2003. The respondents in the case were Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited and Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited.

M/s Rituraj Steel Private Limited is drawing 500 KVA load at 33 kV from CSPDCL through the 33 kV Magneto Mall feeder. The company has also developed a 0.5 MW AC solar PV power plant at Village Khajuri-Nawagaon in Bilaspur district. The plant is connected for power evacuation through an independent 33 kV feeder linked to the 33/11 kV Pendari substation of CSPDCL, and the project was synchronized and commissioned on August 25, 2025.

The petitioner argued that the draw of captive solar power would be minimal and that setting up a dedicated feeder solely for this purpose would not be feasible. They stated that the regulations permit the Commission to consider exemption from the dedicated feeder requirement for bulk consumers. The company offered to install necessary metering and communication systems and agreed to follow load restrictions on the existing common distribution feeder whenever required by CSPDCL. They also committed to providing data communication facilities to the State Load Despatch Centre.

In its reply, CSPDCL stated that open access is normally permissible only for users connected through a dedicated feeder as per Regulation 5.5 of the First Amendment in Open Access Regulations 2011. However, it pointed out that the regulation also allows the Commission to grant exemptions in justified cases. CSPDCL said it had no objection to granting the exemption as long as certain conditions were met. The conditions included the installation of an ABT meter with AMR capability, an RTU system for online power data communication at the drawl point, and an undertaking by the petitioner that they would not raise claims for any failure, shutdown, maintenance activities, or non-operation of the common 33 kV Magneto Mall feeder. The petitioner was also required to give a written undertaking to both respondents on accepting these terms.

CSPTCL similarly stated that it had no objection to granting the exemption and allowing long-term open access, subject to the same conditions. Citing technical feasibility, CSPTCL confirmed that transmission of power from the injection point at the Pendari substation to the draw point at the Vyapar Vihar Bilaspur substation was possible. It also required agreement to possible load restrictions and non-claim conditions.

After hearing both sides and reviewing the submitted details, the Commission noted that regulations allow for exemption from dedicated feeders when appropriate and when conditions are agreed upon. As the petitioner accepted all the conditions, the Commission held that the request could be granted. The Commission stated that the plant would be exempted from the requirement of a dedicated feeder to avail open access, subject to fulfilling conditions imposed by CSPDCL and CSPTCL.