RERC extends Net-Metering deadline in Rajasthan to 15th September 2021

30 June 2021: Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has issued an extension to Net-Metering deadline in Rajasthan till 15^th September 2021. Hence, Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems commissioned under Net Metering agreements upto 15^th September, 2021, shall continue to operate under the Net Metering arrangement till the period of Connection Agreement.

RERC had issued Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grid Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Generating Systems) Regulations, 2021 (also known as ‘RERC DREGS Regulations 2021’) on 08.04.2021. As per these regulations, Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems commissioned under Net Metering agreements up to 30th June 2021, were to only operate under the Net Metering arrangement till the period of Connection Agreement. And new regulations were to be applicable to systems commissioned after 01st July 2021.

However, considering the representations from the stakeholders that due to second wave of COVID-19 pandemic the implementation of the projects under the
different execution stages had come to a halt. Further, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd. (RRECL) submitted that MNRE has granted the time extension in scheduled commissioning date (SCOD) of the RE projects considering disruption due to the second surge of COVID-19.

In consideration of the above, RERC issued the order that the Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems commissioned under Net Metering agreements upto 15th September, 2021, shall continue to operate under the Net Metering arrangement till the period of Connection Agreement, as per the provisions of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Connectivity and Net Metering for Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems) Regulations, 2015 and subsequent amendments thereof.

However, it is to be noted that RRECL has also requested the Commission to extend the timeline for Commissioning of Rooftop projects under the net metering arrangement as per Net Metering Regulations, 2015 for six months, i.e., upto 31.12.2021 but the commission has only provided deadline extension of two and a half months.

Interestingly, in the order RERC has also acknowledged that the Ministry of Power (‘MOP’) has finalised the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules,2021 to facilitate installation of Grid Interactive Systems by consumers as prosumers. The commission has declared that it may issue necessary directions or orders to take this into account. However, it has not specified any timeline or clear direction on this.

Read Ahead:

• RERC order on Net-Metering deadline in Rajasthan – Download Order