3,595 Power Consumers In India Get Approval For Green Energy Open Access

Ministry of Power notified the Green Energy Open Access rules in 2022.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy RK Singh, in his latest response before the Lok Sabha, said that as per government records, the Indian government approved the applications of 3,595 power consumers, allowing them to avail of green energy open access. The Ministry of Power in 2022 approved the Green Energy Open Access Rules, allowing consumers with a minimum of 100 Kw of power demand to avail such services.

“As reported by Grid Controller of India (GCI), the Central Nodal Agency maintaining the Central Registry for Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) applications, all eligible 3595 applications from bulk, captive and industrial category consumers have been approved for the procurement of green energy including solar energy through open access, during November 2022 to October 2023,” he said in his written reply.

As per the response of the minister, it received a total of 16,520 applications during the period. The highest applications from bulk consumers were received from Gujarat (1033) and Chhattisgarh (667). It was followed by Bihar and Karnataka, which received six applications each in this category. In total, in the bulk category, the government received 1712 applications.

It also received 1,165 applications in captive power plants from states like Odisha (646), Chhattisgarh (427), and Karnataka (92). A total of 477 requests were made from consumers, and the highest number of 12,920 proposals was sent by the discoms in India.
The government issued Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022 on 6th June 2022. The key features of these Rules that have contributed in to promoting adopt renewable energy, including in the C&I sector, inter-alia, include the following-

1. Open Access is allowed to any consumer with a contract demand of 100 kW or above through single or multiple single connections aggregating 100 kW or more located in the same electricity division of a distribution licensee and for captive consumers, there is no such minimum limit,

2. Consumers are entitled to demand a supply of green power from DISCOMs, and DISCOMs are obliged to supply the demand.

3. Approval for open access is to be granted in 15 days, or else it will be deemed to have been granted.

4. Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis.

5. Green Certificates are awarded to consumers for consumption of green power beyond the renewable purchase obligation.

6. Additional surcharges shall not be applicable to GEOA Consumers if such a consumer is paying fixed charges.

7. Cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge shall not be applicable if green energy is utilized for the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia.