Kerala HC stays new KSERC renewable energy regulations
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday stayed all proceedings related to the notification issued under the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable Energy and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024, PTI reported.
A bench of Justice Mohammad Niaz C P ordered a stay on the operation, implementation, enforcement, and all further proceedings pursuant to the notification issued by KSERC on November 5.
The Domestic On-Grid Solar Power Prosumers Forum had filed a petition challenging both the drafting of the new regulations and the appointment of KSERC members, alleging that the independent body had been captured by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).
Solar prosumers opposed the draft, claiming it restricts the net metering system to 3 kW and imposes additional charges for every unit exported to the grid.
The court noted that during a hearing on November 3, a senior advocate representing the regulatory commission had submitted that no notification would be issued until objections raised during the public hearing were duly considered — a process expected to take about a month.
In its interim order on November 3, the court directed the registry to place the matter before the Kerala Chief Justice for appropriate orders. However, KSERC went ahead and notified the regulations on November 5.
"Since the matter is now directed to be heard by this court, there shall be a direction to respondents 1 to 3 to file counter-affidavits meeting the allegations raised in the writ petition, to enable this court to consider the legality and validity of the regulations dated November 5," the court said.
The petition will be considered again on December 1.