The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the state of Goa and union territories has issued Electricity Supply Code Regulations for 2018, detailing the obligations of distribution licensees (DISCOMs) and consumers toward each other. The code also specifies a set of practices that must be adopted by the DISCOMs to provide efficient, cost-effective, and consumer friendly service to the consumers.

This code will apply to all DISCOMs, including deemed licensees, and all consumers in the state of Goa and the union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Puducherry, and Chandigarh.

Key Points

• The licensee will supply power within the frequency band specified in the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) (Indian Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2010.
• A supplier will not permit the voltage to vary from the declared voltage more than the limit specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
• Consumers having a contracted demand of 20 kW and above will have to install a power factor correction device such as shunt capacitor.
• The consumer will submit necessary technical and operational details as needed to co-ordinate with the DISCOM before installing any generating unit in any premises, in case it is to be connected with the distribution system.
• Charges for supply of electricity will be as per the tariff schedule approved by the JERC.
• Whenever a case of theft of energy is detected, the authorized officer will carry out the assessment, in accordance with the procedure laid down by JERC.
• The licensee will inform high tension consumers in advance about any load shedding as early as possible for arranging alternate means.
• In case the grievances of the consumer are not addressed by the licensee, the consumer can approach the Consumer Grievances Redressal Forums (CGRF) established in accordance with JERC Regulations, 2009.

Due to extensive urbanization, it has become difficult to lay distribution or transmission lines, especially in urban areas because of the challenge of acquiring the necessary right of way. Therefore, before allowing supply to an applicant through an independent feeder, technical feasibility, including the right of way to lay the line, space for placing a controlling breaker in the control room, and the creation of an additional line bay will all be examined.

JERC recently also issued open access regulations for intra-state transmission (ISTS) and distribution for the year.