The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has released directives for peer-to-peer energy transactions, with the objective of encouraging the adoption of renewable energy and creating supplementary income opportunities for consumers. These guidelines facilitate secure and reliable buying and selling of electricity for prosumers (consumers who generate energy) and eligible consumers. The regulations are applicable to prosumers and consumers with a sanctioned load of up to 200 kW, utilising renewable energy systems limited to 500 per cent of their sanctioned load.
In order to engage in peer-to-peer transactions, prosumers and consumers are required to have time-of-day compliant energy meters or smart meters installed. If not already in place, the installation of these meters is mandatory to facilitate transactions. The procedures and charges associated with metering are regulated by DERC guidelines. Participants are required to submit their energy transaction schedules at least eight time blocks in advance, and rescheduling beyond this limit is not permitted. Prosumers are restricted to transacting up to 20 per cent of their installed renewable energy system’s capacity per day to prevent misuse. In cases where no schedule is submitted, the energy injected by the prosumer is adjusted based on their net metering arrangement.
The billing process for peer-to-peer transactions conforms to the billing cycle of the distribution licensee. Service providers utilise meter data on a time block basis to bill participants for the actual energy generated and consumed. Payments from consumers encompass the transacted energy, transaction charges from the service provider, and the energy supplied by the distribution licensee. All participants must clear any outstanding payments by the specified due date, or they face the possibility of being deactivated from the peer-to-peer platform. Failure to make payments for the energy supplied by the distribution licensee may lead to actions in accordance with DERC regulations.
Disputes related to billing are directed to the consumer grievance redressal forum for resolution. Until March 31, 2026, certain charges are waived for the renewable energy systems engaged in peer-to-peer transactions, contingent upon the decision of the commission. The distribution licensee oversees and covers the capital expenditure for network augmentation associated with renewable energy systems registered under peer-to-peer transactions. The electricity produced following these guidelines aids in meeting the renewable purchase obligation requirements for the concerned distribution licensee if the prosumer is not obligated. The commission reserves the right to adjust or amend these guidelines at its discretion or in response to applications from interested parties.
