Ramesh Babu V Appointed Member In Central Electricity Regulatory Commission

On May 21, 2024, Shri Ramesh Babu V. was sworn in as a Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Shri R. K. Singh, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy. Shri Ramesh Babu V. is academically qualified with an M. Tech in Thermal Engineering and a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering. His professional career includes serving as the Director (Operations) at NTPC from May 2020 until his retirement, along with various other positions within NTPC.

The CERC, established under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, functions as the central authority for electricity regulation in India under the Electricity Act, 2003, which superseded the ERC Act, 1998. The commission comprises a Chairperson, three other Members, and the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority as an ex-officio Member.

CERC’s major functions as outlined in the Electricity Act, 2003, include regulating tariffs for generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government, regulating tariffs for other generating companies involved in multi-state operations, overseeing inter-state electricity transmission, and setting tariffs for such transmissions. Additionally, CERC is responsible for issuing licenses for inter-state electricity transmission and trading, adjudicating disputes, advising the Central Government on national electricity policies, promoting competition and efficiency in the electricity sector, and encouraging investment in the electricity industry.