Author: Power Peak Digest Team Pub Date: February 1, 2025

Here are the latest updates on regulatory developments in India’s renewable sector:

HERC notifies draft Green Energy Open Access Amendment Regulations, 2025

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has notified the draft HERC (Green Energy Open Access) 1st Amendment Regulations, 2025. These regulations, applicable across Haryana, align with the Ministry of Power’s Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022.

The draft regulations aim to facilitate connectivity and open access for electricity generated from green energy sources, including non-fossil-based waste-to-energy plants. This applies to the intra-state transmission or distribution system, as well as cases where these systems are used alongside inter-state transmission networks.

The draft specifies that generating stations, including captive generating plants, and consumers must have or apply for connectivity to the intra-state transmission or distribution system before seeking long-term, medium-term, or short-term open access. Applicants may apply for both connectivity and open access simultaneously.

The eligibility criteria for open access have been revised. Consumers with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW and above—either through a single connection or multiple connections within the same electricity division—are eligible for green energy open access. There is no limit on power supply for captive consumers using green energy open access.

Consumers not connected to independent feeders may be granted open access, provided they accept system constraints and power cut restrictions imposed by their distribution licensee.

Additionally, the draft states that no additional surcharge will apply to electricity generated from offshore wind projects commissioned until December 2032 when supplied to open access consumers.

CERC approves NTPC’s petition for adoption of usage charges

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved NTPC Limited’s petition for the adoption of usage charges for its 1,990 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power station (Tranche III), connected to the inter-state transmission system. The project was selected through a competitive bidding process under the Central Power Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase II.

The commission noted that the bidding was conducted on February 23, 2021, using Viability Gap Funding (VGF) as a parameter. The maximum permissible VGF limit was Rs 5.5 million per MW, with usage charges set at Rs 2.45 per kWh. CERC emphasized that these parameters at the time of bidding must be upheld and cannot be modified post-bidding, except under a change in law as per the provisions of the Power Usage Agreements (PUAs).

Accordingly, the commission has adopted the usage charge of Rs 2.45 per kWh for NTPC’s 1,990 MW solar PV projects under Tranche III of the CPSU Scheme Phase II. The commission has also allowed the petitioners to file a separate petition within six weeks to seek any relief under Articles 10 and 11 of the PUAs or supplementary PUAs.

CERC approves TPREL’s petition seeking relaxation for document submission

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’s (TPREL) petition seeking relaxation of conditions for submitting financial closure documents.

The commission noted that Central Transmission Utility Limited (CTUIL) referenced a previous order (Petition No. 192/MP/2024), which allowed a parent company holding connectivity rights to submit land-related documents and milestone requirements under Regulations 11A and 26 of the General Network Access (GNA) Regulations on behalf of its subsidiary.

CERC found TPREL’s case suitable for relaxation under its powers to remove difficulties and safeguard sectoral interests. Accordingly, under Regulations 41 and 42 of the GNA Regulations, the commission has relaxed Regulation 11A(2), allowing TPREL, as the connectivity grantee, to submit financial closure documents in the name of its subsidiary, TPVSL, to meet regulatory requirements.

Featured photograph is for representation only

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