CSERC Allows Open Access Without Dedicated Feeder Under Special Regulatory Exemption In Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has approved a petition filed by M/s Shree Hanuman Loha Pvt. Ltd., granting the company an exemption from a key requirement under the state’s open access regulations. The order provides relief to the Raipur-based steel manufacturer, allowing it to source power from its remote captive plant without installing a dedicated feeder line.

M/s Shree Hanuman Loha Pvt. Ltd., located in the Urla Industrial Area of Raipur, is engaged in the production of TMT steel and pipes. The company had approached the Commission seeking flexibility in its power procurement arrangements. Under the existing CSERC (Connectivity and Intra-State Open Access) Regulations, 2011, consumers opting for open access are typically required to establish a dedicated feeder line connecting them directly to a grid substation. This infrastructure ensures reliability and accountability in power transmission.

However, the petitioner argued that constructing a dedicated feeder was not economically or technically viable in its case. The company highlighted that the quantum of power it intended to draw from its captive Waste Heat Recovery Boiler (WHRB) plant was relatively small, making the investment in a dedicated line disproportionate to its needs.

The company’s captive generating plant is located in the Bemetara district and has a total capacity of 24 MW. Out of this, it is permitted to inject up to 14.1 MW into the grid through the Sambalpur substation. On the consumption side, the company is in the process of upgrading its receiving infrastructure in Raipur to operate at a higher voltage level of 132 kV, which would enable efficient power usage under open access.

To support its request, the petitioner invoked Clause 5(5) of the regulations, which allows the Commission to grant exemptions and permit the use of common distribution feeders under specific circumstances. During the proceedings, both Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) and Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited (CSPTCL) did not raise significant objections to the proposal. However, they stipulated certain technical and operational conditions.

These conditions included the installation of advanced metering systems such as Availability Based Tariff (ABT) meters equipped with automated reading capabilities and real-time data communication links with the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC). Additionally, the petitioner was required to accept that the utilities would not be held responsible for any power interruptions arising from maintenance or faults in the common feeder network. The company also agreed to comply with load restrictions during peak demand periods if required.

After considering all submissions and conditions, the Commission, comprising Member (Law) Vivek Ganodwale and Member (Technical) Ajay Kumar Singh, issued its order on April 13, 2026, in favor of the petitioner. The decision allows the company to proceed with its open access arrangement using a common feeder, subject to compliance with the specified technical requirements and payment of applicable transmission and regulatory charges. The ruling is expected to provide operational flexibility to the company while maintaining grid discipline and ensuring adherence to regulatory norms.