Setback for Electricity Regulatory Commission; Direct evidence collection must be conducted, Amicus Curiae to monitor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Electricity Regulatory Commission faced a setback from the apex court for conducting online evidence collection without directly contacting consumers under the Purapura Solar Act, including changes in the billing method. The Commission's request to stay the High Court's ruling against this was rejected. An amicus curiae was also appointed to monitor the evidence collection.

With this, the Commission will have to directly collect evidence to implement the Renewable Energy Act, which contains provisions that are harmful to rooftop solar producers. The KSEB was scheduled to implement the act from this month.

The Domestic On-Grid Solar Power Prosumers Forum had approached the High Court against the Commission's action and obtained a favourable verdict. Against this, the Commission approached the Supreme Court.

The Regulatory Commission conducted the evidence gathering online over six days in June. This was to avoid direct protests from consumers.

Consumers also complained that they were not given sufficient time to comment during the online evidence-gathering process.