A platform for power

Coupling reverses momentum of reforms

The power ministry’s proposal to introduce power-market coupling has been taken a step forward with the industry regulator, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), issuing a staff paper and inviting comments from stakeholders. The broad suggestion outlined by the paper is to merge all existing power-trading platforms and the contracts they offer into a unified body called the Market Coupling Operator (MCO). Alternatively, the mechanism could be operated by a separate institution, such as state-owned Grid India, which operates India’s electricity grid. The overall attempt appears to be to enhance government control over power trading and distribution.

The ostensible intention