Latest news with #NetMeteringSystem
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Draft regulations on renewable energy: traders, prosumers protest in front of State Electricity Regulatory Commission office
Organisations representing traders and solar prosumers in the State's renewable energy (RE) sector staged a protest in front of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) office here on Thursday calling the commission's draft regulations on renewable energy impractical and damaging for the sector. The protest was organised by the Ministry Approved Solar Traders (MASTERS) with support from organisations such as the Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association and Renewable Energy Companies Consortium. Traders in the sector also observed a 'Solar Bandh' on Thursday by keeping firms involved in the manufacture, sale, installation and service of the RE components shut as part of the protest. 'Denying fair hearing' Interestingly, the protest came just days ahead of the hearings planned by the commission from July 8 to July 11 on the Draft KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters), 2025. The protesters alleged that the commission is also denying the public a fair hearing by confining its hearings to online mode. The protesters wanted the commission to hold physical hearings in all the Assembly constituencies, ensure the support of the national-level solar policy for schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and retain the existing conditions for Net Metering System (NMS). If the draft policy is implemented in its present condition, the number of people opting for rooftop solar systems would fall drastically, according to MASTERS. It would also adversely impact the livelihood of lakhs of people engaged in the manufacture, sales, installation and service of the RE components, the organisation alleged. Conveyed apprehensions A delegation from the protesting organisations also met the commission chairperson T.K. Jose and conveyed their apprehensions. Meanwhile, the commission has said that the online hearings would be held in three sessions on each of the four days. More than 500 people would be heard in each of the sessions. The hearings were planned online to ensure higher public participation, according to the commission. The registration for the hearings is open till 5 p.m. on Friday.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Draft regulations on renewable energy: Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission to hold online hearings in July
The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) will hold public hearings in July in online mode on the Draft KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters), 2025. The virtual hearings will be held on four days from July 8 to July 11. The commission headed by T.K. Jose said the draft published on its website on May 30 had already drawn comments from stakeholders. A majority of the respondents wanted the Net Metering System (NMS) to be continued for existing prosumers. The commission observed that the draft regulations contained a provision that existing prosumers billed under the NMS would continue to be billed under it. While the decision to go online with the hearings has drawn criticism from a section, the commission justified it saying that the online mode would guarantee greater stakeholder participation from across the State. Register online The commission has asked stakeholders who wish to attend the hearings to register online on The window for registration will be open till 5 p.m. on July 4. The details are available on the commission's website The new regulations are meant to replace the KSERC (Renewable Energy and Net Metering) Regulations, 2020, whose term expired in 2024-25. The draft, according to the commission, seeks to incorporate emerging trends in renewable energy, 'aligning with the broader objectives of fostering renewable energy development, ensuring grid stability, and promoting sustainable energy practices.' It places emphasis on energy storage systems, and seeks to classify prosumers under different methods of billing and settlement. The draft also introduces concepts such as Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration in Kerala's rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
