The Ministry of Power (MoP) has directed state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) to adhere to the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules. The directive emphasises the need for alignment of their respective states’ Open Access Regulations with the officially notified rules, including any amendments. SERCs have been instructed to provide their status of compliance by February 27, 2024.
In May 2023, the MoP modified the regulations for green energy open access, allowing consumers with a cumulative contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or higher to access green energy. This provision is applicable to consumers with either a single or multiple connections that collectively amount to 100 kW or above within the same electricity division. According to the updated regulations, captive consumers are now allowed to utilise green energy open access without any restrictions on their load.
Furthermore, in June 2023, the ministry notified the Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022. According to these rules, consumers meeting the criteria of a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or greater would qualify for green energy open access. Nevertheless, the rules did not specify the permissible number of connections.
The recent modifications permitted consumers with numerous connections of lower capacity to utilise power through open access, requiring a minimum capacity of 100 kW. The ministry additionally stated that offshore wind projects, commissioned before December 2032 and providing electricity to consumers through open access, would not be subject to additional surcharges
