Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission

The MERC was established on August 5, 1999 under the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998, a Central Act which was superceded by Electricity Act (EA), 2003. The Commission is continued as provided under Section 82 of the EA, 2003. The Act was mandated to promote competition, efficiency and economy in the power sector and to regulate tariffs of power generation, transmission and distribution and to protect the interests of the consumers and other stakeholders.

Functions of the Commission

The functions of the Commission as stated under the Section 86 of the Electricity Act (EA), 2003 are as following:

• To determine the tariff for generation, supply, transmission and wheeling of electricity, wholesale, bulk or retail, as the case may be within the State
• To regulate electricity purchase and procurement process of distribution licensees including the price at which electricity shall be procured from the generating companies or licensees or from other sources through agreements for purchase of power for distribution of supply within the State
• Facilitate intra-State transmission and wheeling of electricity
• Issue Licences to persons seeking to act as transmission licensees, distribution licensees, and electricity traders
• Promote cogeneration and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy
• Adjudicate upon the disputes between the licensees and generation companies and to refer any dispute for arbitration
• Levy fee for the purposes of this Act
• Specify State Grid Code
• Specify or enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by Licensees
• Fix the trading margin in the intra-State trading of electricity, if considered, necessary
• Discharge such other functions as may be assigned to it under this Act
• Advise the State Government as mandated under Section 86(2) of the EA, 2003

Electricity Ombudsman & Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRF)

In exercise of powers under Section 42(6) of the EA, 2003, the Commission has appointed vide its Notification dated 23rd December, 2004 Shri Wasudeo G. Gorde as the Ombudsman for Electricity for the state of Maharashtra. His address is

	Office of the Ombudsman (Electricity)
	Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission,
	Keshava Building,
	Bandra-Kurla Complex,
	Bandra (East), Mumbai 400 055

Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums
In compliance of the CGRF&EO Regulations, 2003, the respective Distribution Licensees have already constituted Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (at various Zonal levels by MSEDCL)

Authorised Consumer Representatives

As mandated under Section 94(3) of the EA, 2003 has authorised the following consumer representatives to represent the interest of the consumers in the proceedings before it.

State Advisory Committee (SAC)

Section 87 of the EA, 2003 mandated the Commission to constitute a State Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on major questions of policy, matters relating to quality, continuity and extent of service provided by the Licensees, compliance by Licensees with conditions and requirements of their licence; protection of consumer interests, etc.

State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC)

The functions of the State Load Despatch Centre have been articulated in the Electricity Act, 2003. The State Load Despatch Centre plays a most important role in operation and management of intra-State transmission system is an important and complex activity which regularly requires addressing a number of complex, and often conflicting issues, such as:

• To ensure reliable power supply, within available generation capacity to all consumers located at all points of the system;
• To ensure frequency and voltage conditions within permissible limits;
• To supply power in most economic manner possible; and
• To limit the duration and extent of repercussions due to faults and restore normal functioning of the network as soon as possible

Utilities / Licensees

The following utilities / licensees are operating in Maharashtra State:
1) Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.
2) Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd.
3) Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd.
4) Maharashtra State Transmission Utility
5) Reliance Energy Ltd. (Distribution, Transmission and Generation)
6) Tata Power Company Ltd. (Distribution, Transmission and Generation)
7) BEST Undertaking
8) Mula Pravara Electric Co-operative Society Ltd.
9) Global Energy Ltd. (for intra-State Trading Licensee)