MUMBAI: The destination of applications filed by Adani Electricity Navi Mumbai Ltd (AENML) and Torrent Power Ltd (TPL) for parallel distribution licenses in the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCLThe ) area is in balance as the state power regulator has yet to receive a call on the proposals.
Under the provisions of the Electricity Act 2003, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) is the competent authority to make a decision on such applications. AENML submitted applications in November 2022, while TPL submitted applications in January 2023.
"AENML and TPL have submitted applications for parallel licensing. Both companies have also submitted additional applications to MERC. But it will take longer as MERC has to make a decision after public hearings on the proposals," a senior TPL official said. MERC. .
A senior energy department official said there is strong opposition to the proposals by MSEDCL employee unions, as it amounts to partial privatization of the distribution process. "A few months ago, the employees had gone on a three-day strike, they withdrew only after Deputy Prime Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the energy portfolio, assured that there will be no privatization in any way," the official said.
Both AENML and TPL submitted applications for distribution licenses in areas of the MSEDCL. AENML had applied for permission to distribute power in the areas under the municipal corporation of Navi Mumbai and adjacent suburbs including Mulund, Bhandup, part of Thane district, Panvel, Kharghar, Taloja and Uran, while TPL has filed three applications for the Thane/Palghar areas, Ulhasnagar, Vasai-Virar, Ambernath Civic Corporation, Palghar surrounding areas, certain areas in Pune and surrounding suburbs, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Nagpur District surrounding areas. In terms of the Electricity Law, the AENML's request has been admitted and published public notices in November 2022 inviting suggestions and objections. The TPL applications were admitted on January 5, 2023. The law grants discretionary powers to MERC for the granting of parallel licences. Both firms have proposed the development of their own distribution networks in parallel to MSEDCL's existing distribution network.
AENML has proposed an investment of Rs 5,717 crore and TPL has proposed an investment of Rs 15,007 crore to install distribution networks in the proposed areas.
Under the provisions of the Electricity Act 2003, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) is the competent authority to make a decision on such applications. AENML submitted applications in November 2022, while TPL submitted applications in January 2023.
"AENML and TPL have submitted applications for parallel licensing. Both companies have also submitted additional applications to MERC. But it will take longer as MERC has to make a decision after public hearings on the proposals," a senior TPL official said. MERC. .
A senior energy department official said there is strong opposition to the proposals by MSEDCL employee unions, as it amounts to partial privatization of the distribution process. "A few months ago, the employees had gone on a three-day strike, they withdrew only after Deputy Prime Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the energy portfolio, assured that there will be no privatization in any way," the official said.
Both AENML and TPL submitted applications for distribution licenses in areas of the MSEDCL. AENML had applied for permission to distribute power in the areas under the municipal corporation of Navi Mumbai and adjacent suburbs including Mulund, Bhandup, part of Thane district, Panvel, Kharghar, Taloja and Uran, while TPL has filed three applications for the Thane/Palghar areas, Ulhasnagar, Vasai-Virar, Ambernath Civic Corporation, Palghar surrounding areas, certain areas in Pune and surrounding suburbs, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Nagpur District surrounding areas. In terms of the Electricity Law, the AENML's request has been admitted and published public notices in November 2022 inviting suggestions and objections. The TPL applications were admitted on January 5, 2023. The law grants discretionary powers to MERC for the granting of parallel licences. Both firms have proposed the development of their own distribution networks in parallel to MSEDCL's existing distribution network.
AENML has proposed an investment of Rs 5,717 crore and TPL has proposed an investment of Rs 15,007 crore to install distribution networks in the proposed areas.
