Maharashtra Regulator Gives Open-Access Users Extra Time to Meet Renewable Obligations

Maharashtra Regulator Gives Open-Access Users Extra Time to Meet Renewable Obligations

June 24, 2025

Mumbai — The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has extended the deadline for open-access consumers to clear their cumulative shortfalls under the Renewable Purchase Obligation for the period 2014–2020, giving them until the end of FY 2025–26 to comply with their obligation.

Following an audit of compliance data submitted by Maharashtra Energy Development Agency and 90 open-access consumers, the Commission found that many of them had failed to achieve the required RPO targets. ([Power Line Magazine][1]) Accordingly, MERC has given these entities a final window to meet their shortfall – either by procuring renewable energy directly or through purchase of renewable energy certificates.

Some large consumers, such as Amba River Coke Limited, have been specifically directed to bridge their shortfall — in ARCL’s case, a substantial deficit of 70.852 million units. Meanwhile, Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd. was found compliant and allowed to carry forward its surplus RE procurement of 6.335 MU towards future obligations. For JSW Steel Ltd., MERC said its exemption from RPO is only if its co-generation output surpasses the presumptive RPO; otherwise, the commission asked the firm to reconcile its energy data with MEDA for verification.

The Commission also ordered MEDA to rationalize data collection, improve its compliance-reporting system-including the use of online portals-and conduct workshops to guide obligated entities on how to file their RPO compliance.

By offering a final grace period, MERC has sought to strike a balance between the strict enforcement of renewable energy purchase obligations and the practical difficulties faced by open-access consumers, including disruptions to REC trading and delays caused by the pandemic.