Tue Jul 08 11:22:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

A public hearing in Kerala, India, regarding draft renewable energy regulations, faced strong opposition from prosumers and vendors. Key concerns included proposed restrictions on net metering, a grid support charge for exported energy, and extended peak hours, all of which stakeholders argued would stifle investment and hinder the state’s transition to renewable energy. Many demanded the existing regulations be maintained, or at least grandfathered in for existing projects.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Renewable Energy Proposals Slammed as “Regressive” at Public Hearing**

*Thiruvananthapuram, July 8, 2025* – Draft renewable energy regulations proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) have been met with fierce criticism from prosumer groups and renewable energy vendors. At the opening of a four-day online public hearing yesterday, stakeholders voiced concerns that the new rules would severely hinder the state’s progress towards renewable energy adoption.

The most contentious proposals include limiting the Net Metering System (NMS) to 3 kW, imposing a ₹1 per unit grid support charge for energy exported to the grid, and expanding designated peak hours. Opponents argue that these measures would discourage future investment in the sector and make existing renewable energy projects unprofitable.

“These regulations are regressive and harmful,” stated a spokesperson for the Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association (KREEPA). “They create a disincentive for consumers to invest in renewable energy and will ultimately slow down Kerala’s transition.”

Specifically, organizations objected to the costly battery storage systems. The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which has made substantial investments in solar power, announced that it has already put a 6.5 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project on hold due to the current regulatory uncertainty.

The Kerala State Small Industries Association expressed concern over the proposed new billing and settlement mechanisms. Other voices also questioned the rationale behind the Commission’s proposed shift in peak hours, particularly as they already had been defined in tariff orders issued in December 2024.

The Ministry Approved Solar Traders (MASTERS) went so far as to say that the proposed regulations, if implemented, “would break the backbone of the renewable energy industry in Kerala” and called for a five-year moratorium on the changes.

The KSERC, led by T.K. Jose, will hold three more hearings on July 10, 11, and 16 to further consider the feedback. The proposed regulations, intended to replace the existing 2020 rules, are slated to be valid for five years, beginning in 2025-26. The outcome of these hearings will be crucial in shaping the future of renewable energy in Kerala.

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