(1) The Central Commission shall discharge the following functions, namely:—
(a) to regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government;
(b) to regulate the tariff of generating companies other than those owned or controlled by the Central Government specified in clause (a), if such generating companies enter into or have a composite scheme for generation and sale of electricity in more than one State;
(c) to regulate the inter-State transmission of electricity;
(d) to determine tariff for inter-State transmission of electricity;
(e) to issue licenses to persons to function as transmission licensee and electricity trader with respect to their inter-State operations;
(f) to adjudicate upon disputes involving generating companies or transmission licensee in regard to matters connected with clauses (a) to (d) above and to refer any dispute for arbitration;
(g) to levy fees for the purposes of this Act;
(h) to specify Grid Code having regard to Grid Standards;
(i) to specify and enforce the standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by licensees;
(j) to fix the trading margin in the inter-State trading of electricity, if considered, necessary;
(k) to discharge such other functions as may be assigned under this Act.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 79
Section 79 of the Electricity Act, 2003 defines the statutory functions of the Central Commission, vesting it with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate tariffs of generating companies supplying power to more than one State, regulate inter-state transmission, and adjudicate disputes.
If a power generator supplies power to buyers in multiple States under separate PPAs, always invoke CERC jurisdiction under Section 79(1)(b) & (f); invoking State Commissions will result in threshold dismissal for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction under Energy Watchdog.