Maharashtra has a long-standing tradition of active consumer participation in the electricity regulatory process. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) was among the first in India to formally appoint authorised consumer representatives. Over the years, these representatives, along with civil society organisations, have played a pivotal role in influencing decision-making and strengthening the governance of the state’s electricity sector. Drawing from my experience of over a decade of engagement in this process, this talk will highlight key instances where consumer participation has shaped regulatory outcomes, discuss the major insights gained from these experiences, and reflect on the lessons for the way forward.
Ashwini Chitnis has extensive experience in the electricity sector policy and regulation and is involved in initiatives aimed at building the capacity of various stakeholders to help them better engage with the sector processes. Presently, she leads the Clean Energy Supply portfolio at WRI India, overseeing transmission planning, grid resilience, power markets, and utility economics. Her research focuses on just energy transition and long-term resource planning for a renewable energy-rich grid.