The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has granted Eleven Power Private Limited a 25-year parallel electricity distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh, creating the possibility of consumer choice in electricity suppliers for parts of the two districts and challenging the monopoly of the state-owned Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVNL).
The order, passed on Monday by a bench comprising HERC Chairman Mukesh Garg and Member Shiv Kumar, cited chronic delays in providing new electricity connections as a key reason for approving the private licence. Data submitted by DHBVNL showed that 108,590 applications for new meters and load increases were pending as of October 2025, according to the order.
The decision is not yet operational. Eleven Power must obtain review and approval, and has been directed to file a migration protocol within 60 days. The protocol will govern how consumers switch suppliers without interruption of electricity supply or the accumulation of unpaid dues.
Under its approved rollout plan, Eleven Power will invest Rs 4,716.73 crore between 2026-27 and 2030-31. Of this, Rs 4,650.37 crore is earmarked for underground cabling and the construction of power substations. The company has also allocated Rs 304.37 crore to Nuh from the first phase of its work. The network will be financed through private equity and loans, officials said.
The Haryana government is preparing to challenge the order before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, an autonomous body established under the Electricity Act, 2003. Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij said on X that the state would pursue an appeal. State power utilities opposed the licence during the hearings.
The discoms argued that Gurugram contributes a substantial share of their revenue and that losing commercial consumers could weaken the cross-subsidy system used to support subsidised electricity for farmers. They also alleged that Eleven Power could select affluent urban areas while avoiding less commercially attractive pockets. Power employee unions have described the decision as backdoor privatisation and raised concerns over state revenue and employment.
Subhash Lamba, National Vice-President of the Electricity Employees Federation of India, told The Indian Express that the order was unilateral. He said unions had already secured permission for strikes from December 1 to 3 and could advance the action to October 22. He also alleged that objections from employees, farmers and resident welfare associations had not been adequately considered.
HERC defended the decision by stating that prior distribution experience was not a legal bar because the company’s consortium partners have technical expertise in managing high-voltage networks. The commission’s order comes as resident welfare associations and industrial groups in Gurugram report recurring summer outages and high spending on diesel generators used as backup.
Sunil Sareen of the Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association said residents hoped the entry of a second provider would improve reliability, accountability and grievance redressal. Tapan Dey, a resident of Badshahpur, said an alternative supplier could reduce dependence on diesel generators during prolonged outages.
The next formal step is Eleven Power’s filing of the migration protocol within 60 days, while the state government’s proposed appeal will determine whether implementation can proceed as approved.
