M/s Harekrishna Steel Pipes Pvt. Ltd., a Raipur-based manufacturer of MS pipes, tubes, and HR strips, has received a significant regulatory approval from the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) regarding the use of solar power at its plant. The company had filed a petition seeking exemption from the requirement of a dedicated feeder for availing open access for its solar power, citing technical and operational constraints at its manufacturing facility.
The company operates its plant with a contract demand of 4,500 KVA and currently draws power through a 33 kV common feeder from the 220 kV Urla substation. Harekrishna Steel Pipes also owns a 5.0 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power project located in Village Chourenga, District Balodabazar-Bhatapara, intended primarily for captive use. The solar plant, synchronized and commissioned in November 2025, is allowed to evacuate power through a dedicated feeder to the DamanKheda substation. However, the company argued that constructing a dedicated feeder to their manufacturing plant would be technically and economically unfeasible, as the draw of solar power at the user end would be minimal. They requested an exemption under the CSERC (Connectivity and Intra-State Open Access) Regulations, 2011, which allows the Commission to grant exemptions to bulk consumers under specific conditions.
The Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) reviewed the petition and noted that regulations typically require open access users to have dedicated feeders with online data communication to the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC). However, CSPDCL acknowledged the Commission’s authority to grant exemptions and expressed no objection, provided the petitioner met certain technical conditions. These conditions include installing ABT meters equipped with Automated Meter Reading (AMR) facilities and Remote Terminal Units (RTU) for real-time data communication at the drawl point. The petitioner must also agree not to lodge claims in the event of feeder failure or scheduled maintenance on the multi-consumer HV feeder and accept load restrictions if required.
Similarly, the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited (CSPTCL) confirmed that transmitting power from the injection point at the Dhamakheda substation to the draw point at the Urla substation is technically feasible. CSPTCL also required Harekrishna Steel Pipes to submit a formal undertaking regarding operational conditions and adherence to load restrictions.
After evaluating submissions from all parties, the Commission observed that the petitioner had agreed to all conditions stipulated by CSPDCL and CSPTCL. Taking into account the technical feasibility and compliance with regulatory provisions, the CSERC decided to grant the exemption under clause 5(5) of the Open Access Regulations. This decision allows Harekrishna Steel Pipes Pvt. Ltd. to avail long-term open access for their solar power through the existing common distribution feeder, subject to the implementation of required technical arrangements and submission of necessary undertakings to both CSPDCL and CSPTCL.
The order was formally signed by Member (Technical) Ajay Kumar Singh and Member (Law) Vivek Ganodwale on December 19, 2025, marking a notable development in enabling industrial consumers in Chhattisgarh to integrate renewable energy into their operations while addressing practical infrastructure limitations. This decision reflects the Commission’s flexible approach in balancing regulatory compliance with operational feasibility for promoting solar energy use among industrial consumers.
The approval is expected to benefit Harekrishna Steel Pipes in optimizing the use of its solar power project for captive consumption, reducing reliance on conventional electricity, and supporting the state’s broader renewable energy goals.
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