According to the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions of Green Energy Open Access), Regulation, 2023, consumers who have a contracted or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more are eligible to obtain power through green energy open access (GEOA). The regulations are in accordance with the GEOA regulations released by the Ministry of Power in June, 2023. Captive consumers can use any amount of power without any upper limit.
The scope of open access allowed depends on the voltage level to which a consumer is connected. At 11 kV, open access applies to loads between 100 kW and just under 2 MW. At 33 kV, open access is available from 2 MW to less than 5 MW. For connections at 33 kV and above, open access surpasses 5 MW, designating the consumer as part of the intrastate transmission (InSTS) network. A minimum of twelve consecutive 15-minute blocks each day must be allotted for open access. The amount of power accessed cannot change throughout these blocks. The power used during this period will be considered supplied by the distribution utility if the power exchange does not clear the open access bids for these blocks. Open access is available to users that connect through an independent feeder from a grid substation. If several users of a single independent feeder would like to apply together for open access, they can do so through a designated group representative. Consumers with a contracted demand of at least 100 kW who are not connected to independent feeders can be allowed open access, depending on the system limitations and power outage restrictions of the serving distribution licensee. If there is an underdrawal of power due to power cuts, it will not be compensated.
The duration of the consumer’s usage of the InSTS and/or distribution system determines the category of consumers (long-term – three years and above, medium-term – between three months to three years, short-term – for a month) requesting open access. Short-term open access consumers may reapply for new entitlements once their current term has ended, provided they are available. For granting short-term green energy open access, the state load despatch centre will be the nodal agency for consumers connected at 33 kV and higher, while the distribution licensee will be responsible for those connected at 11 kV and less. For medium-term and long-term open access, the state transmission utility will act as the nodal agency.
With respect to banking, GEOA consumers will have access to a banking facility, which enables them to store surplus energy with the distribution licensee after any applicable offsets have been accounted for. There will be scheduling requirements for both the banked energy withdrawal and the injection of excess energy. Banking charges will be set at 8 per cent of the banked energy, deducted in kind. Energy banking will be permitted at least once a month, with payment of the banking charges to the distribution licensee. Furthermore, any surplus energy remaining unused at the end of each banking cycle will be forfeited. However, the renewable energy generating station will still be eligible to receive renewable energy certificates for this unused energy. Furthermore, the Central commission determines the interstate transmission system charges (which may vary over time), wheeling charges (which gets are periodically updated in the retail supply tariff order), and cross-subsidy surcharge.