RERC Approves Dual Power Supply For HT And EHT Consumers To Improve Reliability In Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has issued an important order approving the Third Amendment to the Electricity Supply Code and Connected Matters Regulations, 2026. The order was finalized on January 21, 2026, and introduces a new framework that allows High Tension (HT) and Extra High Tension (EHT) consumers to receive electricity from two independent power sources. The main objective of this move is to improve power reliability and ensure an uninterrupted supply for critical and high-load consumers such as data centers and essential service providers.

The amendment was initiated after Rajasthan’s distribution companies filed petitions before the Commission seeking permission to offer dual-source electricity supply. These petitions were mainly focused on consumers like the Public Health Engineering Department and modern data centers, which require continuous and highly reliable power for their operations. The Discoms pointed out that such consumers increasingly depend on backup or parallel supply systems to avoid outages and operational disruptions.

To strengthen their case, the Discoms referred to successful technical implementations already in place at large data centers in other parts of the country. Examples cited included the NTT Data Centre in Mumbai and the STT Global Data Centre in Noida, where dual source supply has been implemented to ensure uninterrupted operations. These examples were presented as proof that such systems are technically feasible and beneficial for consumers with critical power needs.

After conducting a public hearing in November 2025, the Commission decided to divide the proposal into two separate areas. One part dealt with amendments to the Electricity Supply Code, while the other related to tariff-related issues, which were to be considered separately. Based on this approach, the Commission drafted the Third Amendment Regulations and invited public comments.

Public notices were published in leading newspapers such as Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar, and the Times of India in December 2025 to seek feedback from stakeholders. However, no comments or objections were received within the stipulated timeframe, which allowed the Commission to move forward with finalizing the amendment.

As part of the final regulations, a new sub-regulation numbered 6.14 has been added. This provision allows HT and EHT consumers to receive electricity from two different sources, either for simultaneous use or as a standby arrangement. The approval of such connections will depend on technical feasibility and strict compliance with safety standards. Consumers are also allowed flexibility in drawing power, as they can draw any amount of their contracted demand, from zero up to the full sanctioned load, from either source.

From a financial perspective, the amendment places the cost burden on the consumers opting for dual-source supply. Applicants must bear the full cost of extending electric lines or setting up plants for both power sources, in addition to paying the usual charges. Moreover, a new condition added to Schedule I of the regulations states that consumers applying for dual source supply, whether used simultaneously or as a backup, will be required to pay double the plant cost. This ensures that the additional infrastructure expenses are fully recovered while offering enhanced reliability to consumers.