Rajasthan Sets Stage for RE Push with New Open Access Rules

Rajasthan Sets Stage for RE Push with New Open Access Rules

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has released draft regulations for Green Energy Open Access (GEOA), aiming to streamline renewable power procurement through intra-state transmission networks under the Electricity Act, 2003.

The proposed framework will govern open access to electricity from renewable sources—both captive and third-party—across Rajasthan. The move is part of a broader effort to ease the integration of clean energy and encourage industrial users to shift toward sustainable power.

Eligibility For Green Energy Open Access

The RERC draft, shaped by stakeholder feedback, lays out definitions for key terms such as “captive generating plant” and “renewable hybrid energy project.” While several inputs were accepted, the commission declined to define the role of the State Nodal Agency (SNA), stating it is clarified elsewhere in the text.

Eligibility for GEOA requires a contracted demand or sanctioned load of at least 100 kW, though captive users are exempt from this minimum. Access is classified by tenure: long-term (12–25 years), medium-term (3 months to 3 years), and short-term (up to one month). Access approval depends on system capacity and planning margins.

Fate of BESS Plants 

Notably, new captive renewable energy plants may install capacity up to 200% of their contracted demand. Plants exceeding 100% must include Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to store at least 20% of the surplus energy. RE projects over 5 MW must integrate energy storage systems equal to 5% of installed capacity.

The draft grants allocation priority to distribution licensees, followed by GEOA consumers over conventional open access users. Within GEOA categories, long-term applicants will be prioritized over medium- and short-term applicants, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Curtailment guidelines are also specified. Short-term non-GEOA users will be curtailed first, while distribution licensees will be last. Among GEOA consumers, curtailment is applied on a pro-rata basis within each category.

Range of charges

The draft outlines a range of charges, including transmission and wheeling fees, with exemptions for BESS-linked projects and green hydrogen or ammonia production. Cross-Subsidy Surcharges (CSS) are capped at 20% of the average cost of supply, while Additional Surcharges (AS) may apply under certain conditions but are waived if fixed costs are recovered.

Banking of power for captive users is permitted up to 25% of injected energy or 30% of discom-supplied consumption—whichever is higher—subject to an 8% in-kind fee. Banked energy expires annually, though Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) may be awarded. Different provisions apply to green hydrogen and ammonia producers.

Operationally, the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) will manage short-term GEOA, while the State Transmission Utility (STU) will handle medium- and long-term applications. Both bodies are tasked with maintaining updated public portals on GEOA data, grid status, and application tracking.

Application Fees

Applicants must install 15-minute interval-compliant Special Energy Meters and specify annual green energy purchase commitments. Application fees range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000 depending on duration, with mandatory payment security equal to three months of estimated charges.

The draft includes a savings clause, allowing older regulations to remain in effect where not inconsistent.

RERC has invited public comments before the guidelines are finalised—marking a critical step in Rajasthan’s transition to a greener grid.