Organisations representing traders and solar prosumers in the State’s renewable energy (RE) sector staged a protest in front of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) office here on Thursday calling the commission’s draft regulations on renewable energy impractical and damaging for the sector.
The protest was organised by the Ministry Approved Solar Traders (MASTERS) with support from organisations such as the Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association and Renewable Energy Companies Consortium.
Traders in the sector also observed a ‘Solar Bandh’ on Thursday by keeping firms involved in the manufacture, sale, installation and service of the RE components shut as part of the protest.
‘Denying fair hearing’
Interestingly, the protest came just days ahead of the hearings planned by the commission from July 8 to July 11 on the Draft KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters), 2025. The protesters alleged that the commission is also denying the public a fair hearing by confining its hearings to online mode.
The protesters wanted the commission to hold physical hearings in all the Assembly constituencies, ensure the support of the national-level solar policy for schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and retain the existing conditions for Net Metering System (NMS).
If the draft policy is implemented in its present condition, the number of people opting for rooftop solar systems would fall drastically, according to MASTERS. It would also adversely impact the livelihood of lakhs of people engaged in the manufacture, sales, installation and service of the RE components, the organisation alleged.
Conveyed apprehensions
A delegation from the protesting organisations also met the commission chairperson T.K. Jose and conveyed their apprehensions.
Meanwhile, the commission has said that the online hearings would be held in three sessions on each of the four days. More than 500 people would be heard in each of the sessions. The hearings were planned online to ensure higher public participation, according to the commission.
The registration for the hearings is open till 5 p.m. on Friday.