The Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Association (TECA) has contended that enforcement of solar power obligation was equivalent to tariff increase without seeking consumers’ views and should be enforced only after a public hearing. It has also argued that in the absence of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) asking for any upward revision of power tariff, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) suo motu should not revise the tariff.    

In a submission made to the TNERC during a public hearing in Coimbatore on May 17, D Balasundaram, president, TECA, Coimbatore, pointed out that the State government had, through a direction to TNERC, mandated a solar power obligation to certain categories of consumers, leading to an increase in the cost of power consumed by them.    

He urged the TNERC to accept this and not grant it (Tangedco) any tariff increase’ and not provide regulatory asset status for these losses.