The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has directed Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEB Ltd.) and INKEL Limited to provide additional technical and project details in a dispute over grid connectivity for major renewable energy projects in Palakkad and Malappuram.
The petition was filed by INKEL and its subsidiaries, INKEL Renewable Energy Private Limited and INKEL Green Energy Private Limited, after KSEB Ltd. restricted connectivity at the 33 kV level to 14.4 MW/14.4 MVA. INKEL has challenged the restriction, arguing that the limits under the Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2014, apply to consumer loads and should not automatically restrict generating stations injecting electricity into the grid.
INKEL also argued that the capacity of a 33 kV feeder should be determined by factors such as conductor capability and voltage regulation rather than a fixed capacity ceiling. It has sought permission to evacuate the full capacity of its renewable projects through parallel 33 kV feeders wherever technically feasible.
One of the projects involved is a 36 MW solar-wind hybrid project at Vadakarapathy in Palakkad, comprising 18 MW of wind and 18 MW of solar capacity. KSEB Ltd. has indicated that evacuation above 14.4 MW would require an upgrade to 110 kV or special approval from the Commission for parallel 33 kV lines.
The second project is a 23.2 MWp group captive solar project at Panakkad in Malappuram. INKEL temporarily reduced its interactive capacity to 14.4 MW because of unresolved line interlinking issues, leaving the balance capacity pending.
KSEB Ltd., however, maintained that the applicable connectivity and voltage limits are governed by the State Grid Code and Supply Code. It referred to Regulations 4 and 57 of the relevant KSERC regulations and Regulation 8A of the Supply Code, stating that higher voltage limits can be exceeded by up to 20% only under specified circumstances when higher-voltage infrastructure is unavailable.
During the hearing, KSERC Chairman T K Jose and Member B Pradeep stressed the importance of resolving the matter quickly. The Commission noted that wind generation can support peak-hour requirements, while solar generation contributes significantly during daytime periods. It also observed that delays in a state-backed project could result in cost escalation.
However, the Commission noted that KSEB field officials could not provide complete technical information during the hearing. KSERC therefore directed INKEL to submit detailed PERT charts covering project timelines, costs, injection points and execution status.
KSEB Ltd. has been given two weeks to file its counter-affidavit, including detailed technical reasons for the connectivity restrictions and delays. INKEL will have one week thereafter to submit its response.
The Commission also directed the concerned KSEB Chief Engineers to attend the next hearing personally with complete technical and project details.
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