Chhattisgarh Electricity Regulator Amends Norms Regarding Solar Energy Without New Line Connections

Chhattisgarh Electricity Regulator Amends Norms Regarding Solar Energy Without New Line Connections

December 8, 2025

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has issued a crucial exemption to a local firm to consume electricity from its solar plant without having to construct a feeder line, which is a usual requirement when it comes to open access. This exemption order was issued on the 4th of December 2025, in response to a petition filed by Rituraj Steel Private Ltd.

In this order, the CSERC has exempted the company operating in Bilaspur to enable it to avoid the rule that forces consumers to provide a separate feeder to supply their solar energy. Rituraj Steel’s solar PV plant with an installed capacity of 0.5 MW was installed in August 2025, and it supplies energy to the grid. Otherwise, it would have had to build another power line to supply it with solar energy.

The company claimed that their proposed consumption of power was minimal, and the installation of a separate feeder was neither feasible nor economically viable. They agreed to set up an advanced meter and communication system and operate on conditions, which may include potential limitations on their electricity supply from the common feeder that it draws from.

The distribution and transmission companies  Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Ltd. (CSPDCL) and Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Co. Ltd. (CSPTCL) did not have an objection regarding the exemption provided and subject to compliance with specified technical parameters and safeguards. These parameters and safeguards included advanced metering functions such as ABT meter with AMR and online connectivity with the State Load Despatch Centre.

The CSERC has made it clear that it is willing to adapt to open access regulation standards even in areas where it is unreasonable to comply strictly, by accepting this request.