The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has dismissed a petition filed by U.P. Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL), which sought an immediate regulatory framework for integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with thermal power plants in the state.
The petition, numbered 2375 of 2026, was filed with a request to establish mechanisms under the UPERC (Terms and Conditions of Generation Tariff) Regulations, 2024. UPRVUNL sought guidelines covering the recognition, integration and tariff determination of battery storage systems connected with thermal generating stations.
The state power generator also sought to align Uttar Pradesh’s regulatory approach with the framework developed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). During the proceedings, Advocate Divyanshu Bhatt, appearing for UPRVUNL, requested the Commission to issue interim directions to enable the operation and integration of BESS while formal amendments to the existing regulations were being considered.
The matter was heard on August 11, 2026, by a three-member bench comprising UPERC Chairman Arvind Kumar, Member Sanjay Kumar Singh and Member (Law) Griesh Kumar Vaish. Representatives of UPRVUNL and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) appeared before the Commission.
In its order dated August 14, 2026, UPERC declined to provide the requested regulatory mechanism through the judicial proceedings. The Commission observed that legislative or regulatory changes cannot be introduced through a petition seeking judicial directions.
UPERC noted that it may consider initiating an appropriate process for developing a framework for BESS integration and its tariff treatment after consultation with relevant stakeholders, if required. However, such changes would need to follow the prescribed regulatory and legislative process rather than being implemented through an order in the present petition.
Based on these observations, the Commission dismissed UPRVUNL’s petition at the preliminary stage, or “in limine.”
The decision highlights the regulatory process required for introducing battery storage mechanisms within Uttar Pradesh’s power generation framework. While the Commission has indicated that BESS integration could be examined through a separate regulatory process, UPRVUNL’s request for immediate directions has not been accepted.
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