MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 1 of 13

Before the

MAHARASHTRA ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

World Trade Centre, Centre No.1, 13th Floor, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005

Tel. 022 22163964/65/69 Fax 22163976

Email: mercindia@merc.gov.in Website: www.mercindia.org.in / www. merc.gov.in

CASE NO. 3 of 2015

In the matter of

Petition of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (Distribution) for directions to State Transmission

Utility to release Outlets from Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (Transmission) and Tata

Power Co. Ltd. (Transmission)

Coram

Shri Azeez M. Khan, Member

Shri Deepak Lad, Member

Reliance Infrastructure Limited (Distribution) ……. Petitioner

V/S

1) State Transmission Utility

2) The Tata Power Company Limited (Transmission)

3) Reliance Infrastructure Limited (Transmission) ......Respondents

Appearance

For the Petitioner : Shri Abhaji Naralkar (RInfra-D)

For the Respondents : 1) Shri R.N.Farkade (STU)

2) Smt. Swati Mehendale (TPC-T)

3) Shri Rakesh Raj (RInfra-T)

Authorized Consumer Representative : Dr. Ashok Pendse, TBIA

ORDER

Dated: 21 December, 2016

M/s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (Distribution) (RInfra-D), H Block, 1st Floor, Dhirubhai

Ambani Knowledge City, Navi Mumbai, has filed a Petition on 29 December, 2014 for

directing the State Transmission Utility (STU) to approve and release Outlets from Reliance

Infrastructure Ltd. (Transmission) (RInfra–T) and Tata Power Co. Ltd. (TPC-T), under

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 2 of 13

Sections 39 (2) (b & c) and 86(1) (c) of the Electricity Act (EA), 2003 and Regulation 36.3

of the MERC (State Grid Code) Regulations, 2006 (‘State Grid Code’).

2. In its Petition, RInfra-D has prayed as follows:

“a) To direct Committee appointed under Chairmanship of STU in Case No. 110 of 2014

to look into outlet requirement of RInfra-D.

b) In the interim to prayer (a) above, direct STU to approve and release 4 nos. of outlets

from TPC-T’s proposed BKC EHV Station (expected to be commissioned shortly) and 2

nos. of outlets from TPC-T’s Hiranandani EHV Station, which are very critical for

release of new loads and reliving of existing network.

c) Direct STU to initiate planning towards one breaker one cable (feeder) concept and

direct Transmission Licensee to implement the same.

d) To pass any other order(s), as the Hon’ble Commission may deem fit and appropriate

under the circumstances of the present case and in the interest of justice;

e) Allow additions / alterations / changes / modifications to the petition if required;

f) Condone any inadvertent omissions / errors / rounding off / differences /

shortcomings.”

3. The Petition states that:

(1) RInfra-D is a Distribution Licensee in the suburbs of Mumbai catering to around 2.8

million consumers. Over the last few years, demand on RInfra-D’s network has

increased substantially. RInfra-D’s network is also used by the Tata Power Company

Ltd. (Distribution) (TPC-D) to supply to change-over consumers. The Non-Coincident

System Peak Demand (NCPD) on RInfra-D’s network from FY 2009-10 to FY 2013-

14 as well as the estimated demand upto FY 2017-18 considering growth of 4 % is as

given below:

S. No. Year NCPD (MVA)

1 2009-10 1648

2 2010-11 1822

3 2011-12 1806

4 2012-13 1908

5 2013-14 1887

6 2014-15 1974

7 2015-16* 2053

8 2016-17* 2135

9 2017-18* 2220

*Considering 4% CAGR for future demand

(2) RInfra-D has registered applications for new connections (including residential and

commercial projects) of more than 1600 MW load across its supply area. These new

loads would slowly realize on the network over the next 5-10 years.

(3) In anticipation of the increasing demand and its obligation to meet the increase in

load, RInfra-D has requested additional Outlets by making applications to the STU as

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 3 of 13

per the State Grid Code from EHV Stations of the Transmission Licensees, viz.

RInfra-T and TPC-T. Even after several reminders, RInfra-D has not received any

response from either the STU or the Transmission Licensees regarding itst Outlet

requirement.

(4) On 16 May, 2011, RInfra-D made a Connection Application to the STU as per

Regulation 13 of the State Grid Code for release of 35 Outlets from TPC-T.

(5) Pursuant to a meeting with STU on 10 October, 2011, RInfra-D reviewed its

requirement of Outlets from TPC-T to 33, and a letter to that effect was sent to STU

on 13 October, 2011. Vide letter dated 15 December, 2011, the STU forwarded the

Connection Application made by RInfra-D vide letters dated 16 May and 13 October,

2011 to TPC-T for its suggestions/comments and necessary action. RInfra-D has not

received any response from the STU or TPC-T even after almost 3 years.

(6) RInfra-D again made an application on 1 June, 2012 to the STU to release 99 Outlets

(which included 9 Outlets from the list of 33 Outlets requisitioned in October, 2011 as

the area was overlapping) from RInfra-T’s EHV Stations. Vide letter dated 16 June,

2012, the forwarded the Connection Application made by RInfra-D to RInfra-T for its

suggestions/comments and necessary action. RInfra-T released only 14 Outlets and

communicated it to the STU on 10 July, 2012, and forwarded a copy of its letter to

RInfra-D on 11 July, 2012.

(7) The 14 Outlets released by RInfra-T were only sufficient to meet the old pending

requirement of RInfra-D. Based on the STU’s Five Year Transmission Plan for FY

2010-11 to 2014-15, under which TPC-T has planned many EHV Stations in and

around the Mumbai Suburbs, RInfra-D submitted a Connection Application vide its

letter dated 28 November, 2012 for release of 85 Outlets from TPC-T. On 6 March,

2013, a reminder was sent to STU.

(8) In view of the urgency in order to meet its demand, RInfra-D requested STU on 22

November, 2013 to release 21 Outlets, out of 85 Outlets requested, on priority so as to

initiate the work to cater to the applied load of developers. Further reminder was sent

to STU on 19 September, 2014.

No. of

Outlets Saki Borivali BKC Hiranandani Mira

21 3 2 9 4 3

(9) On 17 February, 2014, RInfra-D requested STU to allocate 28 Outlets from the 220

kV Nagri Niwara/Film City EHV Station. RInfra-D also reminded the STU to release

85 Outlets as per its application dated 21 December, 2013. As against the Outlet

requirement requests of RInfra-D, only 14 outlets have been released so far from

RInfra-T.

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 4 of 13

(10) Out of the all the requisitioned Outlets, 4 Outlets from TPC-T’s proposed Bandra-

Kurla Complex (BKC) EHV Station (expected to be commissioned shortly) and 2

Outlets from its Hiranandani EHV Station have become extremely critical, not only

for releasing new loads but also for relieving the existing stressed network which is

likely to impact reliability in the concerned areas.

(11) The Committee under the Chairmanship of STU appointed in Case No. 110 of 2014

may be asked to look into the requirement of Outlets of R-Infra-D. The Commission

may also direct the STU to approve and release 4 Outlets from TPC-T’s proposed

BKC EHV Station (expected to be commissioned shortly) and 2 Outlets from its

Hiranandani EHV Station.

(12) There are many breakers of TPC-T or RInfra-T where more than one cable/feeder of

RInfra-D is connected, and a fault on any one of these cable/feeders interrupts the area

fed by both the cables/feeders. This can be avoided if the STU follows the principle of

one breaker-one Outlet/cable/feeder, as suggested by Dr Khaparde of IIT-Bombay in

his Report of July, 2006.

4. In its Reply dated 20 May, 2015, the STU stated that:

(1) RInfra-D has submitted its requirement of Outlets from RInfra-T and TPC-T as

follows:-

a) 35 Outlets from TPC-T on 16 May, 2011

b) Revised 33 Outlets from TPC-T on 13 October, 2011

c) 99 Outlets from RInfra–T (including 9 Outlets from the above requirement) on 1

June, 2012, considering load demand up to FY 2017-18

d) Fresh requirement of 85 Outlets from TPC-T on 22 November, 2012

e) Urgent requirement of 21 Outlets from TPC-T on 22 November, 2013

f) Reminder to STU for the above 21 Outlets from TPC-T on 19 September, 2014

g) 28 Outlets from 220 kV Nagri Niwara/ Film City sub-Station

(2) After receipt of the requirements, a meeting was held with RInfra-D and the

requirement of Outlets was forwarded to RInfra-T and TPC-T. In response, RInfra-T

has released 14 Outlets from its existing sub-Stations and committed to release the

remaining 85 Outlets from its proposed sub-Stations likely to be commissioned during

FY 2015-16 to FY 2017-18.

(3) The requirement of various Outlets by RInfra-D spanned over a period of 9 years, i.e

from 2009-10 to 2017-18. Some of its requirements were from existing sub-Stations

and others from proposed EHV sub Stations of both RInfra-T and TPC-T.

(4) TPC-T has released 2 Outlets from its Hiranandani sub-Station and approved 4

Outlets from its BKC sub Station which is to be commissioned in near future.

(5) As per the STU Plan, the following two EHV sub-Stations of TPC-T are planned in

FY 2014-15 :-

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 5 of 13

S.No. Sub-Station Status

1 110 kV HDIL Kurla The tendering of civil works is in progress.

The delay is due to various NOCs required

from different departments

2 110 kV BKC 90 % works are completed and sub-Station

can be commissioned within few months

(6) The comments of TPC-T regarding release of Outlets from its sub-Stations are set out

below:-

Sr.No. TPC Sub-

Station

DSS No of

Outlets

required

Remarks

1 Borivali Gokuldam 2 Bays are not available

2 BKC Godrej/

Tulsiani/Makers/

Chandivali

SRA/Motilal

Nagar/MMRDA/Godr

ej/ Shivalik

9 Presently

commissioning of

BKC R/S is delayed

and Outlets will be

allotted after shifting

of existing TPC-D

feeders from old DSS

3 Mira Saduru/Kalpataru/Rav

i Mhada/Vinamara

3 220 kv Mira Road R/s

not yet commissioned

4 Saki ESIS hospital 3 RInfra-D may explore

taking load from

220kV/ 33kV Saki R/s

of R-Infra-D

5 Vikroli Mhada Kannamwar/

Kalpataru/Aura

2 Bays not available

(7) As per the STU Plan, the 220 kV Nagri Niwara sub-Station was to be constructed and

commissioned by RInfra-T but, due to non-availability of land, the work is not taken

up by RInfra-T.

(8) Looking to the requirement of 28 Outlets by R-Infra-D, STU has made efforts and

identified the land in coordination with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co.

Ltd (MSEDCL) to establish an EHV sub-Station in Goregaon Film City area as an

alternative solution for the 220 kV Nagri–Niwara sub-Station. The proposal is also

included in the STU Plan and is under consideration of Maharashtra State Electricity

Transmission Co. Ltd. (MSETCL).

(9) The following EHV Sub-Stations of RInfra-T and TPC-T are planned, as per the STU

Plan:-

RINFRA-T PROJECTS

Sr.No. Projects Year Outlets

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 6 of 13

TPC-T PROJECTS

AugmentationProjects

From the above sub-Stations, the requirement of RInfra-D can be met in the

future.

(10) As regards the request of RInfra-D of one breaker - one cable arrangement for all

feeders in the Mumbai distribution system, a study has been carried out by the Prof.

S.A. Khaparde (IIT Bombay) Committee. Its final Report of July, 2006, on

developing criteria for allotting additional distribution Outlets stated that all the

Receiving sub-Stations (RSS) of TPC-T are space-constrained and it is difficult to

arrange for a new circuit breaker for every Outlet. Hence, it is not possible to arrange

a separate breaker for each Outlet.

5. In its Reply dated 28 October, 2015, TPC-T has stated that:

(1) TPC-T has no objection to the request of RInfra-D that the Committee under the

Chairmanship of the Chief Engineer (STU) in Case No. 110 of 2014 be asked to look

into the Outlets requirement of RInfra-D.

(2) Since 2011-12, 56 Outlets have been provided to cater to around 880 MVA load of

RInfra-D, which is 45% of the total load catered to by it. 5 Outlets have been provided

to RInfra-D as recently as FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16.

(3) On the request of RInfra-D for 21 Outlets, a meeting between RInfra-D and TPC-T

was held on 2 February, 2015, and TPC-T provided its response to STU and RInfra-D

on 11 March, 2015.

1 220kV BKC Golibar 2016-17 39 Outlets

2 220kV Airport 2018-19 26 Outlets

3 220kv dahisar housing 2018-19 39 Outlets

Sr.No. Projects Year Outlets

1 110kV HDIL-Kurla 2014-15 23 Outlets

2 110 kv BKC 2014-15 25 Outlets

3 400 kV Vikroli 2015-16 23 Outlets

4 110 kv Chembur tapping 2016-17 24 Outlets

5 400 kV Marvey ( Malad) 2018-19 23 Outlets

6 220 kV DahisaR (East) 2018-19 23 Outlets

7 220 kV Vikroli (West) 2018-19 23 Outlets

8 220 kv Mira Road (West) 2018-19 23 Outlets

Sr.No. Sub-Stations Capacity Year Outlets

1 110kV BKC 1X125 MVA 2016-17 13 Outlets

2 110 kV Powai 2X90 MVA 2017-18 11 Outlets

3 220 kV Saki 1X125 MVA 2018-19 12 Outlets

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 7 of 13

(4) As an interim arrangement, RInfra-D requested 4 Outlets from the BKC RSS of

TPC–T and 2 Outlets from Hiranandani Powai of TPC-T as they are critical for

release of new loads and relieving of the existing distribution network.

(5) TPC-T has released 2 Outlets from Hiranandani Powai to RInfra-D in March, 2015.

However, in spite of the criticality cited by RInfra-D, there seems to be no action at

the ground level for connecting cables and initiating power supply from these Outlets.

TPC-T will be in position to provide Outlets from BKC after June, 2016.

(6) There is severe space constraint at various Receiving Stations of TPC-T. Hence, it

may not be practically possible to implement the one Outlet - one cable connection

concept in its area of operation unless significant capital expenditure is incurred,

which will require the approval of the Commission.

(7) With respect to discrimination between Distribution Utilities with TPC-D on

provisions of back-to-back feeders, TPC-T has also provided back-to-back feeders to

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) and TPC-D. Back-

to-back feeders for TPC-D may be less as compared to R-Infra-D.

6. At the hearing held on 29 October, 2015, the parties were informed of the Commission’s

decision to constitute a two-Member Bench to hear and decide this Case. RInfra-D set

out its request for Outlets from RInfra-T and TPC-T as follows:-

Sr.No

.

Transmission

Licensee

Total Outlets

requested

Outlets

released

Balance required

Outlets

1 R-Infra-T 99 14 85

2 TPC-T 33 2 31

In view of the urgency for meeting its demand, RInfra-D had requested STU to release

21 Outlets (out of the total sought) on priority, and this was followed by a reminder.

TPC-T stated that it has already released 2 Outlets from its Hiranandani sub-Station in

March, 2015 and would provide 4 more Outlets from its BKC sub-Station as soon as it is

ready. The Commission directed RInfra-D to submit the status and break-up of all

required Outlets from existing and upcoming sub-Stations from RInfra-T and TPC-T

along with the priority and the quantum of load expected in the near future. The

Commission asked all the concerned Utilities to meet with the STU within a week, sort

out their Outlets requirements for the immediate future and jointly finalise the issues

through discussion. The parties should file their submissions within two weeks from the

meeting.

7. In its additional submission dated 10 March, 2016, the STU stated that:

(1) As per the directives of the Commission vide Daily Order dated 29 October, 2015,

STU has submitted its Report to the Commission. The summary is as below:-

(i) CE (STU) conducted five meetings with TPC-D, R-Infra-D, TPC-T and BEST

from 16 November, 2015 to 16 February, 2016 for joint discussion with all

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 8 of 13

concerned to arrive at amicable solutions.

(ii) After detailed deliberations with all Distribution and Transmission Licensees,

the feeder Outlets are allocated as per the requirement of the Distribution

Utilities i) for immediate need, i.e. up to 2017-18 and ii) for future need, i.e.

from 2017-18 onwards.

(2) The 21 priority Outlets requested by RInfra-D till 2017-18 are as below:-

Sr.

No.

Outlet requested

(EHV Sub-Station)

No. of

Outlets

Outlet Allotted

(EHV Sub-

Station)

Final allocation

1 TPC BKC 10 TPC BKC

TPC HDIL

Kurla

6 - TPC BKC

4 - TPC HDIL Kurla

2 TPC Borivali 02 RInfra-T

Borivali

2 - RInfra-T Borivali

3 TPC

Hiranandani

02 TPC

Hiranandani

2 - TPC Hiranandani

4 TPC Mira

(Prop)

03 RInfra-T

Ghodbundar

3 - RInfra-T

Ghodbundar 5 TPC Saki 02 TPC Saki 2 - TPC Saki

6 TPC Vikhroli 02 TPC Vikhroli

1 Outlet allotted. 1Outlet

after

commissioning of

400 kV TPC

Vikhroli sub-

Station

Total 21 21

(3) The priority Outlets requested by TPC-D till FY 2017-18 are set out below:-

Sr.

No.

Outlet requested

(EHV Sub-

Station) n)

No. of

Outlets

Outlet Allotted

(EHV Sub-Station

)

Final allocation

1 RInfra-T Aarey 4 RInfra-T Aarey 4 – RInfra-T Aarey

2 RInfra-T Saki 2 RInfra-T Saki 2 - RInfra-T Saki 3 TPC Saki 5 TPC Saki 5 – TPC Saki 4 RInfra-T

Goregaon

2 RInfra-T

Goregaon

2 - RInfra-T

Goregaon 5 RInfra-T

Chembur

4 RInfra-T

Chembur

4 - RInfra-T Chembur

6 RInfra-T

Versova

2 RInfra-T Versova 2 – RInfra-T Versova

7 TPC Powai 9 TPC Powai 9 – TPC Powai 8 TPC Carnac 6 TPC Carnac 6 – TPC Carnac 9 TPC Mahalaxmi 6 TPC Mahalaxmi 6 - TPC Mahalaxmi 10 TPC Parel 6 TPC Mahalaxmi 6 – TPC Parel 11 TPC Chembur 4 TPC Chembur 4 – TPC Chembur 12 TPC HDIL

Kurla

4 TPC HDIL Kurla 4 – TPC HDIL Kurla

13 TPC Antop Hill 2 TPC Antop Hill 2 – TPC Antop Hill 14 TPC BKC 8 TPC BKC 8 – TPC BKC

Total 64 64

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 9 of 13

(4) The Outlets requested by RInfra-D for future needs, i.e from 2017-18 onwards, are

as as tabulated below:

(5) The Outlets requested by TPC-D for future needs from 2017-18 onwards is as

tabulated below

Sr.

No.

EHV Sub-Station Commissioning

Schedule

Outlets

allotted

Remark

1 RInfra-T

Golibar/TPC

HDIL Kurla

2018-19 10 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan

2 RInfra-T Malad 2020-21 04 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan

3 TPC Antop Hill 2018-19 08 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan

4 TPC Chunabhatti 2018-19 05 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan

5 RInfra-T

Saki/TPC Sahar

Commissioned 04 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan

Total 31

(6) The priority Outlets requirement of BEST till 2017-18 is as below:-

Sr.

No.

Outlet requested

(EHV Substn)

No. of

Outlets

Outlet Allotted

(EHV Substn)

Final allocation

1 TPC Mahalaxmi 05 TPC Mahalaxmi 5 – TPC Mahalaxmi

2 TPC Parel 02 TPC Parel 2 – TPC Parel 3 TPC Carnac 02 TPC Carnac 2 – TPC Carnac

Tota

l

09 09

Sr.

No.

EHV Sub-

Station

Commissionin

g

Schedule

Outlets

allotted

Remark

1 RInfra Golibar 2018-19 04 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 2 RInfra Borivali Commissioned 06 Additional bus section to be

added - To be reviewed in

STU rolling plan 3 Goregaon Film

city

2019-20 10 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 4 TPC Chunabhatti 2018-19 05 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 5 TPC

Malad/RInfra

Goregaon

Commissioned 09 AIS to GIS conversion - To

be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 6 400kV TPC

Vikhroli

2019-20 05 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 7 RInfra Dahisar 2019-20 10 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan 8 TPC Sahar Commissioned 05 Additional bus section to be

added - To be reviewed in

STU rolling plan 9 220kV TPC

Versova

2018-19 10 To be reviewed in STU

rolling plan Total 64

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 10 of 13

TPC-T has agreed to the above Outlets requirement of BEST.

8. In its additional submission dated 24 September, 2016, RInfra-D stated that:

(1) As directed by the Commission, CE (STU) discussed with all the Mumbai

Distribution Utilities for a holistic view and clarity on Outlets allocation and to devise

the process for future allocation of Outlets.

(2) After detailed consultations with all the parties, the STU bifurcated the Outlet

requirement into two phases, i.e. priority requirement till FY2017-18, and balance

requirement to be addressed in FY 2017-18 as per the requirements stated by the

Distribution Licensees.

(3) As per the STU Report, RInfra-D was allotted 21 Outlets on priority, i.e. 16 from

TPC-T and 5 from RInfra-T, upto FY2017-18. Further, STU has in principle allotted

64 Outlets required post FY 2017-18 and stated that this would be reviewed in the

STU Annual Plan.

9. In its additional submission dated 26 September 2016, TPC-T stated that:

(1) On 16 May, 2011, RInfra-D made a request for 35 Outlets from TPC-T, which was

revised on 23 October, 2011 to 33 Outlets. Vide letter dated 15 December, 2011, the

STU forwarded the connection application made by RInfra-D to TPC-T. TPC-T has

not responded to the STU letter by oversight, and there were no reminders from STU.

(2) RInfra-D applied for 99 Outlets to RInfra-T, in which it indicated a requirement of 9

out of the 33 Outlets applied for from TPC-T. Subsequently, RInfra-D also made an

application for 85 Outlets from TPC-T on 28 November, 2012. This was reduced to

21 Outlets by a revised application to STU dated 22 November, 2013.

(3) TPC-T has not received any communication from STU either for the requirement of

85 Outlets or for the revised requirement of 21 Outlets. TPC-T received a

communication from STU for 21 Outlets only on 2 December, 2014. Subsequently, a

meeting was held between RInfra-D and TPC-T on 2 February, 2015 regarding the

requirement of Outlets. TPC-T has provided 8 Outlets to RInfra-D during the period

from FY 2010-11 to FY 2014-15.

(4) CE (STU) conducted meetings from November, 2015 to February, 2016 with

Distribution and Transmission Licensees in the Mumbai area to understand the

requirements of 22/33 kV Outlets from RInfra-D and TPC-D and to finalize the

allocation of required 22/33 kV Outlets.

(5) On 23 February, 2016, the STU shared its draft Report on the Outlets allocation as per

the requirements of all Distribution Utilities with TPC-D. Thereafter, vide letters

dated 23 June and 3 August, 2016 to TPC-D and RInfra-D, the STU provided the final

allocation of Outlets to these Distribution Utilities from TPC-T and RInfra-T.

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 11 of 13

(6) TPC-T is in agreement with the allocation of Outlets to RInfra-D, TPC-D and BEST

as agreed upon during the meetings with STU along with the concerned Utilities, and

that allocation has been reflected in the draft Report.

(7) Since the final Report has not been provided to TPC-T, it is in agreement with the

same presuming that the final Report reflects the same allocation as agreed upon in

the meetings held by the STU with the Utilities.

(8) Nothing survives in the present Petition as the Outlets allocation has been finalized by

the STU and the parties have mutually agreed to comply with it. The Commission

may dispose of the Petition accordingly.

10. At the hearing held on 27 September, 2016, RInfra-D stated that, as per its Report, the

STU has allotted 21 Outlets to RInfra-D on priority, i.e. 16 from TPC-T and 5 from

RInfra-T. 5 Outlets were released by RInfra-T, and these have been charged by RInfra-D.

Out of 16 Outlets required from TPC-T, 3 Outlets were released and have been charged

by RInfra-D. 5 Outlets from Vikhroli and HDIL sub-Stations of TPC-T are pending as

the sub-Stations are yet to be commissioned. Out of the remaining 8 Outlets, RInfra-D

has forwarded the Connection Agreement to TPC-T on 3 September, 2016 for 6 Outlets

from BKC sub-Station. For 2 Outlets from Saki sub-Station, TPC-T has not provided

switch/feeder numbers. After receipt of the switch/feeder numbers, RInfra-D would

forward the Connection Agreement to TPC-T for these 2 Outlets within a week. TPC-T

stated that it has received the Connection Agreement from RInfra-T for 6 Outlets from

BKC sub-Station in September, 2016 and will sign it within two weeks and communicate

it to R-Infra-D. It will provide switch/feeder numbers for 2 Outlets from Saki sub-Station

to RInfra-D within 10 days and sign the Connection Agreement for these Outlets within a

week of its receipt. The Commission enquired about the installation and commissioning

status of HDIL and Vikhroli sub-Stations. TPC-T replied that it will commission the

HDIL sub-Station by March, 2018 and the Vikhroli sub-Station by FY 2019-20. The

STU stated that, as per directives of the Commission vide Daily Order dated 29 October,

2015, it has submitted its Report for allocation of Outlets. STU will review the Outlets

requirements for FY 2017-18 onwards yearly. The Commission expressed that the STU

should play a more pro-active role with regard to the allocation of Outlets by Distribution

Licensee and monitor the status, instead of such matters having to be brought before the

Commission.

11. In its further submission dated 13 October, 2016, TPC-T stated that:

(1) In compliance to the Daily Order dated 27 September, 2016, TPC-T has signed the

Connection Agreement on 12 October, 2016 for RInfra-T’s 6 Outlets from BKC sub-

Station.

(2) TPC-T has also provided the switch numbers for 2 Outlets from TPC-T’s Saki

Receiving Station to RInfra-T vide e-mail dated 12 October, 2016.

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 12 of 13

Commission’s Analysis and Ruling

12. RInfra-D has filed the present Petition as it did not receive any response from the

STU to its applications for Distribution Outlets from the EHV sub-Stations of TPC-

T and RInfra-T. The initial applications were followed by several reminders.

RInfra-D has submitted the details of Outlets required by it from 2011 onwards, as

summarized in the following Table:

S.No. Transmission

Licensee

Outlets

requested

Outlets

released

Balance required

Outlets

1 RInfra-T 99 14 85

2 TPC-T 33 2 31

Out of the above remaining 116 Outlets required, RInfra-D has sought release of 21

Outlets on priority for meeting its immediate demand requirements.

13. As directed by the Commission during these proceedings, the STU held meetings

with the Distribution and Transmission Utilities and submitted its Report on the

Outlets requirements of RInfra-D as well as the other Mumbai Distribution

Licensees, BEST and TPC-D. The Report separately identifies the immediate

requirements and allocations upto FY 2017-18, and the future dispensation beyond

FY 2017-18 which it would review annually. The details are set out at para. 7 of this

Order, and are also summarized below.

14. As per the Report, the STU has allocated 21 Outlets to R-Infra-D on priority till

FY2017-18 as follows:-

- 5 Outlets from RInfra-T

- 16 Outlets from TPC-T

The 5 Outlets released to RInfra-D from RInfra-T as above have been charged. Out

of 16 Outlets from TPC-T,

- 3 Outlets have been charged by RInfra-D.

- 5 Outlets from the HDIL and Vikhroli sub-Stations of TPC-T are pending as

these sub-Stations will be commissioned by March, 2018 and FY 2019-20,

respectively.

- As regards the remaining 8 Outlets (6 from BKC and 2 from Saki),

Connection Agreements for 6 Outlets have been signed and switch numbers

for 2 Outlets have been provided. This has been confirmed by TPC-T vide

letter dated 13 October, 2016.

The STU has also allotted, in principle, 64 Outlets sought by RInfra-D to cater to

future demand from FY 2017-18 onwards from various ongoing EHV sub-Stations

of TPC-T and RInfra-T. These Outlets allocations will be subject to review in the

STU Annual Plans.

15. For TPC-D, the STU has allocated 64 Outlets on priority till FY 2017-18, and 31

Outlets for future needs from FY 2017-18 onwards from various ongoing EHV sub-

MERC Order in Case No. 3 of 2015 13 of 13

Stations of TPC-T and RInfra-T. These future Outlets allocations will also be

subject to review in the STU Annual Plans.

16. As sought by BEST, the STU has allocated 9 Outlets to it from TPC-T till FY 2017-

18. The Report states that BEST’s requirements for FY 2017-18 onwards will be

considered while preparing the STU Rolling Plan.

17. While the Outlets requirements raised by RInfra-D in this Petition have been

resolved by the STU as set out above, along with the immediate and near-future

requirements of the other Mumbai Distribution Licensees, the Commission’s

intervention would not have been necessary had the STU properly discharged its

functions under the State Grid Code. Regulation 13.5 of the State Grid Code

expects the STU to decide on connection applications within a month of their

receipt, during which time the STU would consider the responses of the other

concerned Utilities. Under Regulation 36.1, the STU has to monitor the compliance

of the provisions relating to connections. Thus, it is also incumbent on the STU to

follow up the timely finalization of Connection Agreements. The Commission

expects that the STU will discharge its functions in this regard diligently henceforth,

so that it needs to be approached only as a last resort.

18. Regulation 8.2 of the State Grid Code requires the 5-year Transmission System

Plan to be updated and published by the STU by the 30th

of September each year.

The Commission notes that this is also delayed, and directs the STU to finalise the

updated Plan expeditiously so that the road-map is clear to all the concerned

Utilities and uncertainties and disputes are minimized.

19. As regards RInfra-D’s plea for one breaker - one cable arrangements for all feeders

in the Mumbai Distribution System, the Commission notes that the earlier Report

of the Committee chaired by Prof. S.A. Khaparde (IIT-Bombay) on developing

criteria for allotting additional distribution Outlets concluded that the existing

Receiving sub-Stations of TPC-T are space-constrained and that it would be

difficult to provide for a new circuit breaker for every Outlet. However, the Utilities

may explore the feasibility of any technological alternatives that may become

available. Moreover, the Commission expects the STU and the Utilities to

coordinate the planning and execution of future sub-Stations such that the one

breaker - one Outlet concept becomes the norm.

The Petition of M/s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. (Distribution) in Case No. 3 of 2015

stands disposed of accordingly.

Sd/- Sd/-

(Deepak Lad) (Azeez M. Khan)

Member Member