In India’s power sector, discussions often spotlight generation, such as renewables, hydro, thermal, or nuclear, but the transmission system, the backbone that delivers electricity, rarely gets its due.
General Network Access (GNA), introduced by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), simplifies access to shared transmission lines for power producers. In a recent Power Peak Digest podcast on the Electricity Market in India YouTube channel, host Shivani Singh discussed GNA’s role in renewable energy integration with two experts: Dr. Vasundhara Sen, Head of Regulatory and Policy at Thermax Limited, with 19 years of experience, and Ms. Sushmita Ajwani, Director of Power and Renewables at ICF, with 17 years in the sector.
The fourth amendment: Optimising transmission for renewables
Notified in March 2025, the fourth amendment to GNA regulations tackles a pressing challenge: limited transmission capacity amid rising renewable generation. Dr. Sen explains its core focus: “The fourth amendment was very focused on one thing, which is splitting of the transmission corridor into solar and non-solar hours.” This split designates solar hours (typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for standalone solar plants, leaving non-solar hours (5 p.m. to 9 a.m.) for technologies like wind or battery storage. By maximising corridor use, it boosts efficiency and supports diverse renewable sources.
This amendment also introduces differentiated scheduling, where solar and non-solar sources have separate schedules while adhering to grid codes. Dr. Sen notes this enables regions like West Bengal, lacking local renewable resources, to draw more renewable power from Rajasthan’s solar-wind hybrids, enhancing access to clean energy nationwide.
Balancing stakeholder interests: Fairness in access
Concerns have lingered that GNA favours large developers, potentially sidelining smaller players. Ms. Ajwani counters this: “I will not say that GNA has helped only large developers. This Fourth Amendment is a balanced approach.” It prevents connectivity hoarding—a practice where developers secure approvals without projects—by barring transfers before the Commercial Operation Date (COD). “You cannot sell or transfer connectivity before the COD,” she adds, curbing speculative profiteering.
Dr. Sen highlights another safeguard: “The new amendment has included a benchmark methodology of the cost of infrastructure.” For shared facilities, like a 300 MW bay split between two 150 MW developers, costs are now apportioned based on evacuation quantum, reducing monopolisation risks and ensuring equitable access.
Implementation challenges: Timelines and standardisation
The GNA framework sets an 18-month commissioning timeline for added renewable or storage capacity, but both experts deem it unrealistic. Ms. Ajwani points to practical hurdles: “Getting the transmission corridor constructed is itself a big challenge. Getting a Right of Way (ROW) is a big challenge.” Land acquisition delays and rising costs further complicate matters. Dr. Sen adds that securing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) within this window is tough, as discoms hesitate to commit, prompting industry calls for timeline revisions.
Another hurdle is adapting to weekly solar and non-solar hour declarations by state Load Dispatch Centres (LDCs). Dr. Sen suggests standardisation—e.g., fixing solar hours at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—could simplify scheduling: “The dispatch planning becomes much easier.” Current variations (e.g., Gujarat’s 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. vs. Maharashtra’s 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) complicate energy accounting and banking.
Tackling transmission bottlenecks in key states
States like Gujarat and Rajasthan, renewable energy frontrunners, face severe transmission constraints. Dr. Sen notes curtailment rates up to 30% in Rajasthan due to excess generation. To address this, the Central Transmission Utility (CTUIL) is prioritising high-voltage DC (HVDC) corridors, planned for completion by 2029–2030. However, she cautions, “The bottleneck will remain for the next two to three years,” as the new generation outpaces infrastructure upgrades.
Technology and market impacts: Digital tools and waivers
Digital advancements are enhancing GNA’s effectiveness. Ms. Ajwani highlights how 5G and smart grid pilots, started in 2024, improve real-time data flows, bolstering scheduling and grid reliability. Meanwhile, Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge waivers have spurred merchant market activity. “In the financial year 2024, the volume was around 30 gigawatt-hours. In financial year ’25, this volume has increased significantly,” she says, crediting large developers like Adani Green and industries meeting renewable targets via exchanges like IEX.
Supporting emerging technologies: A future-ready framework
GNA is adapting to nurture technologies like green hydrogen and large-scale battery storage. Dr. Sen praises ISTS waivers: “If the ISTS waiver was not there, the landed cost of hydrogen would have been even higher.” Extended to batteries in the latest amendment, these waivers lower costs, incentivising adoption. She sees this as vital for maturing technologies like offshore wind and pumped hydro, aligning with India’s clean energy goals.
Conclusion
The fourth amendment’s innovative approach to transmission and renewables is promising, yet challenges like timelines, standardisation, and bottlenecks demand ongoing refinement. As GNA evolves, it paves the way for a sustainable, inclusive grid.