M/S. ORANGE BERCHA WIND POWER PVT. LTD. vs MADHYA PRADESH ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION & Ors

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2024 Supreme(Online)(APTEL) 215

IN THE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR ELECTRICITY (Appellate Jurisdiction) Appeal No. 55 OF 2021 Appeal No. 21 OF 2021 Appeal No. 32 OF 2021 Appeal No. 56 OF 2021 Appeal No. 74 OF 2021 Appeal No. 76 OF 2021 Appeal No. 175 OF 2021 Appeal No. 187 OF 2021 Appeal No. 188 OF 2021 Appeal No. 189 OF 2021 Appeal No. 190 OF 2021 Appeal No. 191 OF 2021 Appeal No. 192 OF 2021 Appeal No. 193 OF 2021 Appeal No. 194 OF 2021 Appeal No. 216 OF 2022 Appeal No. 176 OF 2021 Appeal No. 215 OF 2022 & IA No. 929 OF 2021 Appeal No. 174 OF 2022 Dated: 9th July, 2024 Present: Hon’ble Mr. Sandesh Kumar Sharma, Technical Member Hon’ble Mr. Virender Bhat, Judicial Member Appeal No. 55 OF 2021 In the matter of:
M/s. Orange Bercha Wind Power Pvt. Ltd.
Plot No. 7, MLU, Sector – 10, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director, GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur – 482008, M.P. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 21 OF 2021 In the matter of:
Sterling Agro Industries Limited Aggarwal Cyber Plaza 2, 11th Floor, Netaji Subhash Place, Pitam Pura, New Delhi – 110034. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008.
(3) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-2 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-3 Appeal No. 32 OF 2021 In the matter of:
M/s. DJ Energy Pvt. Ltd.
102, El Tara, Orchard Avenue, Hiranandani Garden, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400076. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 56 OF 2021 In the matter of:
M/s. Orange Mamatkheda Wind Pvt. Ltd.
D-21, Corporate Park, 3rd Floor, 301B, Sector – 21, Dwarka, Delhi – 110075. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 74 OF 2021 In the matter of:
ReNew Power Pvt. Ltd. Commercial Block – 1, Zone – 6, Golf Course Road, DLF City Phase-V, Gurugram, Haryana – 122009. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 76 OF 2021 In the matter of:
(1) Ratedi Wind Power Private Ltd.
ILF&S Financial Centre, Plot C-22, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai – 400051.
(2) Etesian Urja Limited ILF&S Financial Centre, Plot C-22, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai – 400051. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 175 OF 2021 In the matter of:
M/s. KRBL Limited 5190, Lahori Gate, New Delhi – 10006. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 187 OF 2021 In the matter of:
Ostro Madhya Wind Private Limited Unit No. G-0, Ground Floor, Mira Corporate Suites, 1&2, Ishwar Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, Delhi – 110065. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 188 OF 2021 In the matter of:
ReNew Wind Energy (AP3) Pvt. Ltd.
Commercial Block – 1, Zone – 6, Golf Course Road, DLF City Phase-V, Gurugram, Haryana – 122009. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 189 OF 2021 In the matter of:
ReNew Wind Energy (Rajasthan-One) Pvt. Ltd.
Commercial Block – 1, Zone – 6, Golf Course Road, DLF City Phase-V, Gurugram, Haryana – 122009. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 190 OF 2021 In the matter of:
Badoni Power Private Limited
315, 3rd Floor, Shagun Arcade, Scheme No. 54, Vijay Nagar, Indore – 452001. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 191 OF 2021 In the matter of:
Ostro Urja Wind Private Ltd. Unit No. G-0, Ground Floor, Mira Corporate Suites, 1&2, Ishwar Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, Delhi – 110065. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 192 OF 2021 In the matter of:
ReNew Wind Energy (MP-Two) Pvt. Ltd.
138, Ansal Chambers II, Bikaji Cama Place, Delhi – 110066. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 193 OF 2021 In the matter of:
ReNew Wind Energy (Rajasthan) Pvt. Ltd.
Commercial Block-1, Zone-6, Golf Course Road, DLF City Phase – V, Gurugram, Haryana – 122009. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 194 OF 2021 In the matter of:
AVP PowerInfra Private Ltd.
Plot No. A-122, Sector – A, Kalani Bagh Colony, Ward No. 15, Dewas – 455001. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 216 OF 2022 (1) M/s. Giriraj Enterprises Malpani House, I.G. Road, Sangamner, District – Ahmedabad – 422605.
(2) M/s DJ Malpani Malpani Estate, Kasara Dumala, Sangamner, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra – 422605, …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008.
(3) M.P. Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager, Circle Betul, (O&M) MPB Colony, Near Tarang Complex, Link Road, Betul, Madhya Pradesh – 462001.
(4) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(5) M.P. Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Deputy General Manager Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Vidyut Nagar, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-2 Mr. Rahul Dhawan Ms. Approva Misra Mr. Vishesh Issar Mr. Varun Sharma Mr. Ravi Sehgal Mr. Dheer Srivastava for R-3 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-4 Appeal No. 176 OF 2021 In the matter of:
(1) Kukru Wind Power Private Limited Atria Power, 1st Floor, No. 11, Commissariat Road, Bangalore, Karnataka – 560025.
(2) Betul Wind Farms Limited No. 11, 1st Floor, Commissariat Road, Bangalore, Karnataka – 560025. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008.
(2) Betul Circle, Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd., Through the General Manager (O&M) MPEB Colony, Near Tarang Complex, Link Road, Betul (MP) – 460001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd. (MPMKVVCL), Through General Manager, Nishtha Parisar, Govindpura, Bhopal – 462023.
(4) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(5) Madhya Pradesh Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd. (MPPKVVCL), Through General Manager, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Vidyut Nagar, Jabalpur (MP) – 482008.
(6) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016. …Respondent(s)
.
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Ms. Astha Nigam Mr. Sidhartha Das Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-1 Mr. Rahul Dhawan Ms. Approva Misra Mr. Vishesh Issar Mr. Varun Sharma Mr. Ravi Sehgal Mr. Dheer Srivastava for R-2&3 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-4 Ms. Preeti Goel for R-6 Appeal No. 215 OF 2022 & IA No. 929 OF 2021 In the matter of:
Agarwal Renwable Energy Private Ltd.
Anand Bhavan, Old Station Road, Margao, Goa – 403601. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001.
(3) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Ms. Preeti Goel for R-1 Ms. Ranjitha Ramachandran Ms. Poorva Saigal Ms. Anushree Bardhan Mr. Shubham Arya Mr. Arvind Kumar Dubey Ms. Tanya Sareen for R-2 Mr. Nitin Gaur for R-3 Appeal No. 174 OF 2022 In the matter of:
Orange Bercha Wind Power Pvt. Ltd.
Registered Office at F-9, 1st Floor, Manish Plaza – 1, Plot No. 7, MLU, Sector – 10, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075. …Appellant(s)
Vs.
(1) Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission Through Secretary, 5th Floor, Metro Plaza, Arera Colony, Bittan Market, Bhopal – 462016.
(2) Madhya Pradesh Power Management Co. Ltd.
Through General Manager Block No. 2, Shakti Bhawan, Rampur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482008.
(3) M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co. Ltd.
Through Deputy Director GPH Compound, Polo Ground, Indore – 452001. …Respondent(s)
Counsel for the Appellant(s) : Mr. Parinay Deep Shah Ms. Surabhi Pandey Counsel for the Respondent(s) : Mr. Shlok Chandra Mr. Pratik Das Ms. Mansie Jain for R-1 Ms. Poorva Saigal Mr. Shubham Arya Ms. Tanya Sareen Mr. Ravi Nair Ms. Srishti Khindaria for R-2&3

JUDGEMENT

PER HON’BLE MR. SANDESH KUMAR SHARMA, TECHNICAL MEMBER

1. The captioned Appeals have been filed by the Appellants challenging the Orders dated 08.08.2019, 05.12.2020, 18.12.2020, 28.12.2020, 05.01.2021 (in short “Impugned Orders”) passed by Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (in short “MPERC” or “State Commission”) in Petition Nos. 8 of 2019, 43 of 2019, 48 of 2019, 51 of 2019, 13 of 2020, 14 of 2020, 32 of 2020, 33 of 2020, 34 of 2020, 35 of 2020, 36 of 2020, 37 of 2020, 38 of 2020, 39 of 2020, 40 of 2020, 48 of 2020, 56 of 2020, 51 of 2020.

2. The Appellants are the Generator Companies in the State Of Madhya Pradesh.

3. The Respondent Commission is the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission, vested with powers and discharging functions under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.

4. The Respondents, M.P. Pashchim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Limited (in short “MPPKVVCL”), M.P. Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd. (in short “MPPMVVCL”) and M.P. Poorva Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd. (in short “MPPKVVCL”) are Govt. Companies inter-alia the Distribution Company of the State of M.P.

5. The Respondent Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (in short “MPPMCL”) is the holding company of the three distribution licensees within the State of Madhya Pradesh viz, East DISCOM, West DISCOM and Central DISCOM, and is entrusted with the responsibilities of bulk purchase of electricity from generating companies and supplying of electricity to the three DISCOMs.

6. The issue raised in all the appeals and the factual matrix of all these appeals are identical, inter-alia for sake of brevity, all these appeals are disposed of by this common order.

7. The Appellants are renewable energy based generating companies situated within the State of Madhya Pradesh have signed PPAs with the distribution companies of their licenced area for the sale of power from their WEGs (Wind Energy Generators), inter-alia draw power from the Grid during contingencies including auxiliary power, startup power, etc. for which monthly invoices are sent to them by the respective Discoms.

8. In these captioned appeals, they have raised the issue of the change of consumer category for drawing such power for emergency/ startup and other contingencies.

9. The MPERC has enacted the MPERC (Cogeneration and Generation of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy) (Revision-I) Regulations, 2010 for enabling the RE Generators to withdraw power from the Grid for the purposes of shutdown and such other emergencies.

10. In terms of the MPERC RE Regulation 2010, the billing of power drawn for the purposes of shutdown and such other emergency shall be done as a temporary consumer under the industrial category of the retail supply tariff orders, further, vide Seventh Amendment dated 15.11.2017 (notified on 17.11.2017) Regulation 10 was amended to provide that the RE Generators connected to the grid shall be entitled to avail power for synchronization, shutdown and such other emergencies and that such power shall be billed at the rate provided in the tariff schedule for synchronization in the retail supply tariff orders.

11. The Distribution Companies consistently billed the Appellants under the applicable tariff schedule HV-7 for all power drawn by the Appellants, however, the Discoms unilaterally changed the billing methodology and started to bill the Appellants under HV 3.1 industrial category as a temporary consumer.

12. Considering that the appeals are identical, for further, facts Appeal no. 193 of 2021 is taken as the lead appeal to decide the impugned issue.

Appellants submissions

13. The present appeal is against the Order dated 08.12.2020 (in short “Impugned Order”) of MPERC in Petition No. 33 of 2020, the State Commission, vide the Impugned Order, upheld the retrospective billing of additional charges at the rate applicable to a temporary connection under HT industrial category (HV

3.1) by Respondent No. 2, i.e. M.P. Paschim Kshetra

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