Haryana Power Regulator Grants Parallel Supply License in Gurugram and Nuh, Minister Anil Vij Mounts Challenge The Haryana electricity watchdog has granted Eleven Power a 25-year parallel distribution license across Gurugram and Nuh, prompting Energy Minister Anil Vij to announce an appeal before the appellate tribunal. A transformative shift is unfolding across Haryana's energy landscape, promising households and businesses in Gurugram and Nuh the freedom to pick their preferred electricity provider. In an order issued on October 19, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) granted a parallel power distribution license to Eleven Power Private Limited. This administrative decision breaks the longstanding monopoly of the state discom in two economically pivotal districts, establishing a competitive framework. However, the ruling has swiftly triggered strong political friction, with the state government vowing to challenge the regulator's judgment before higher authorities. A Quarter-Century Authorization for Parallel Distribution Exercising powers outlined under Section 14 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the regulatory body sanctioned the private company's operations across both districts for an extensive span of 25 years. Through this arrangement, upwards of 8.30 lakh consumers are slated to gain gradual access to an open market where they can switch between utility providers. The licensee stated that this parallel setup will not displace the current state network. Consumers do not have to initiate any changes immediately, as the incumbent state utility will proceed with unhindered supplies to all existing accounts. To support this expansive undertaking, Eleven Power plans to inject capital expenditure amounting to 4,717 crore rupees over the next five years to construct its own dedicated distribution infrastructure. The firm anticipates commencing electricity deliveries to local end-users during the financial year 2027-28. Operating parallel distribution licenses is not entirely new to India, with major metropolitan hubs such as Mumbai already running identical models that allow multiple licensees to operate within shared geographical borders. Rising Consumption Across Thriving Industrial Corridors The operational zone encompassing Gurugram, Manesar, Sohna, and Nuh has been witnessing rapid urbanization, expanding residential clusters, and sprawling industrial complexes that demand massive power volumes. Regulatory projections highlight that power sales in these licensed corridors will rise sharply over the coming years. Official calculations indicate that aggregate annual electricity consumption will jump from roughly 12,220 crore units recorded in financial year 2024-25 to an estimated 18,224 crore units by financial year 2030-31, establishing the rationale for augmented network capacity. Energy Minister Anil Vij Signals Legal Fight Unwilling to let the regulatory directive go unchallenged, Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij promptly voiced his administration's opposition. Vij confirmed that the state government intends to contest the order in court, taking to social media platform X to express his stance: “The government will appeal in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) against the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's order granting a parallel distribution license to Eleven Power Private Limited in Gurugram and Nuh.” The minister had raised red flags regarding parallel distribution proposals as early as August, underscoring that the executive branch fundamentally opposed opening Gurugram and Nuh to private competitors. At that juncture, Vij pointed out that the corporate applicant bypassed the state energy department entirely, directly petitioning the autonomous regulatory commission. When the regulator solicited inputs from the state administration, the government registered vehement objections against every aspect of the proposal. At present, state-owned utility Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) remains the sole distributor servicing power requirements in these regions. Opposition Raises Concerns Over Public Utilities The regulatory determination has also provoked sharp criticism from the political opposition. Sampat Singh, former minister and patron of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), condemned the concession, describing it as an unprecedented blow to public energy management. Emphasizing the broader socioeconomic stakes, Singh remarked, “This is an irreparable blow to Haryana's public power sector, farmers, rural consumers, and the poor.” The veteran political leader noted that this marks the inaugural instance where two parallel electricity distributors are permitted to operate simultaneously within a single jurisdiction in Haryana. Historically, energy delivery in any designated territory remained exclusively within the domain of state-run undertakings or an assigned private concessionaire, avoiding overlapping competition. Singh further emphasized that Gurugram generates a dominant chunk of DHBVN's operational earnings while recording the lowest transmission losses. Granting a private competitor entry into the state utility's most lucrative profit engine could severely destabilize the fiscal viability of the public power enterprise. What this means for you This licensing decision will grant consumers across Gurugram and Nuh the freedom to pick their power utility, while simultaneously putting the revenue base of the state discom under severe pressure. • For local consumers: More than 8.30 lakh power users in Gurugram and Nuh will gain access to a competitive choice between private and state suppliers starting from FY 2027-28. Existing subscribers do not need to take any action right now, as their regular supply via DHBVN will continue as usual. • For regional infrastructure: The infusion of 4,717 crore rupees over five years will introduce upgraded transmission cables, transformers, and distribution gear across both districts. Commercial hubs, residential societies, and industrial units can expect more resilient power delivery and quicker fault resolutions once the parallel network goes live. • For public utilities: Gurugram stands as the highest-earning revenue circle for DHBVN with the lowest aggregate transmission losses. An aggressive private entrant could divert lucrative industrial and commercial billing away from the state utility, impacting its financial margins. • Legal appeal timeline: The state government's planned appeal before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) introduces legal uncertainty into the rollout timeline. Prospective customers will have to wait for the appellate court's verdict to see whether the licensing terms remain intact or face regulatory adjustments. Why this happened This landmark determination stemmed from soaring energy demand, the pro-competition provisions embedded in national electricity laws, and the private operator's investment commitments, which ultimately collided with state interests. • Statutory authority under Section 14: The Electricity Act, 2003 explicitly empowers state regulators to sanction parallel distribution licenses within the same territorial boundary to eliminate utility monopolies. The state commission exercised this statutory clause to mirror the multi-operator distribution framework already operational in Mumbai. • Surging industrial electricity demand: Massive economic expansion across Gurugram, Manesar, Sohna, and Nuh is projected to escalate power consumption from 12,220 crore units in FY 2024-25 to 18,224 crore units by FY 2030-31. Addressing such massive load escalation necessitated extensive capital spending, prompting the regulator to approve the private network plan. • Procedural rift with government: The private utility filed its licensing petition directly with the independent regulator rather than seeking prior clearance from the state energy department. The state administration opposed the bid to safeguard the financial health and cross-subsidies of DHBVN, leading to the current showdown at the appellate tribunal. Questions & Answers 1. Which private firm has been awarded the parallel electricity license in Haryana? The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has granted the parallel power distribution license to Eleven Power Private Limited for Gurugram and Nuh. 2. What is the duration of the license and when will power delivery commence? The license is valid for 25 years, and commercial electricity distribution is projected to roll out during financial year 2027-28. 3. How much capital does Eleven Power plan to invest in the local distribution network? The company has committed to investing 4,717 crore rupees over the next five years to construct its parallel electricity infrastructure. 4. Where does Energy Minister Anil Vij intend to contest the regulator's decision? Minister Anil Vij announced that the state government will file a formal appeal against the order before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). 5. Do existing consumers in Gurugram and Nuh need to switch suppliers right now? No, existing consumers do not need to make any changes, as state-owned DHBVN will continue delivering regular power supply. https://trendkia.com/en/haryana/gurugram-aura-nuh-men-niji-knpani-ko-bijali-vitarana-ka-samanantara-adhikara-sarakara-pahunchi-tribunal-49997 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.