KSEB's move to impose fixed charge on solar ‘prosumers' challenged in HC
The Kerala State Electricity Board's (KSEB) decision to impose a fixed charge on the use of electricity generated by consumers through their own solar grids has been challenged before the Kerala High Court. The petition was filed on Monday by Josekutty Thomas of Malappuram and nine others who generate power through their own solar grids.
According to the petitioners, the decision is arbitrary and illegal. 'Prosumers,' who invest significantly in renewable energy infrastructure, are being unfairly treated on a par with other consumers.
'Not KSEB supply'
They said that the electricity generated and immediately consumed within their premises belongs solely to the prosumer and does not constitute a supply from KSEB though the solar grid is connected to the KSEB grid. It was akin to charges being levied on the energy not supplied by KSEB.
The petitioners contended that no specific provision had been made in the Electricity Act, 2003, or any tariff order approved by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) which empower the KSEB to impose a fixed charge on the self-consumed energy. Therefore, the decision is arbitrary, unauthorised, and violative of the statutory provisions. The petitioners also said that the demand for security deposits calculated on total consumption, including self-generated energy, is illegal.
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