Govt Asks States To Align With Green Open Access Rule 2022

The Ministry of Power (MoP) recently issued directives for all states and union territories emphasizing on the implementation of amended electricity rules that aimed at promoting green energy open access.

The Ministry of Power (MoP) in its notification released on 12th February 2024 in its notification, gave the directive to states to align with the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy. The notification refers to Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 notification released on 23rd May 2023. The 2023 notification revises some provisions in the open access rule 2022.  

The notification mentions, through Green Energy Open Access) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 the entities with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or above are now eligible for green energy open access. This opens up avenues for facilitating the consumption of renewable energy and aligning operations with sustainable practices. 

This 23rd May 2023 notification reads, “The clause (b) of the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022, was substituted, namely:-(b) “entity” means any consumer who has contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100kW or more either through single connection or through multiple connections aggregating 100kW or more located in same electricity division of a distribution licensee, except for captive consumers: Provided that in case of captive consumers, there shall not be any load limitation.” 

As per the revised rule 5, in sub-rule (2), “For the first proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted, namely, provided that only consumers who have contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100kW or more, either through single connection or through multiple connections aggregating 100 kW or more located in same electricity division of a distribution licensee, shall be eligible to take power through Green Energy Open Access and there shall be no limit of supply of power for the captive consumers taking power under Green Energy Open Access.”

The document also stated, “The rule 9, in sub-rule (2), for fourth proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted, namely: -‘Provided also that additional surcharge shall not be applicable in case electricity produced from offshore wind projects, which were commissioned, up to December 2032 and supplied to the Open Access Consumers.”

The notification stated, “It’s requested to all States/UTs to take appropriate action for implementation of the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022 (as amended from time to time) notified by the Central Government and align Open Access Regulations, on aggregation basis, in accordance with the notified Rules, at the earliest. The status of compliance may be sent within 15 days of issue of this letter.”