Maharashtra Introduces New Green Energy Open Access Guidelines for Consumers with 100 kW and Above

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution introduced new guidelines for the Green Energy Open Access program in Maharashtra. This initiative is aimed at consumers seeking to utilize renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and other green energy solutions. The goal is to allow greater access to green energy while reducing dependency on fossil fuels, benefiting both consumers and the environment. The new guidelines are aimed at facilitating easy access for consumers who meet specific requirements. Any consumer with a contract demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more is eligible to apply for Green Energy Open Access.

Major Highlights from the amended MERC (Distribution Open Access Regulations):

Minimum capacity restriction revised from 1000 to 100 kW of Contract Demand or Sanctioned Load.

At least 100 kW under Third Party Open Access either through one meter or aggregated. In case of captive consumers, there will not be any load limitation Consumer having Root Top Renewable Energy Generating Systems can simultaneously avail Open Access under this Regulation.

This is a most positive outlook from MERC, consumer was eagerly waiting for this change in Regulation. Additional Surcharge benefits. (Additional surcharge not to be applicable for

Green Energy Open Access consumers, if fixed charges are being paid by such consumer) Banking charges from currently 2% to 8%, any surplus un-utilized banked energy will lapse at the end of each banking cycle and generators will be entitled to get RECs to the extent of the lapsed banked energy.

Maharashtra’s Green Energy Open Access rules are finally here!

- Consumers having Contract Demand or Sanctioned Load of 100 kW or more or as may be amended in the Rules from time to time, or Entity through multiple connections aggregating 100 kW or more located in same electricity circle of a Distribution Licensee, shall be eligible to take power from Green Energy through Open Access.

- There shall be no limit of supply of power for the captive consumers taking power under Green Energy Open Access.

- For Open Access consumers sourcing power from renewable energy generators, capacity limit up to Contract Demand or Sanctioned Load as specified in Regulation 3.2 shall not be applicable, but shall be subject to conditions of resultant power flow specified under Regulation 8.10

- In case of multiple connections before start of Green Energy Open Access, consumers shall intimate the Distribution Licensee in advance regarding the percentage share of energy generation from the Renewable Energy projects to each connection so as to enable the Distribution Licensee to account for the same appropriately.

- Green Energy Open Access consumers shall not change the quantum of power consumed through open access for at least twelve-time blocks

- Provisions of Green Energy Open Access shall be applicable only if the power is sourced along with the Green attribute and not if generator is selling REC / renewable component separately.

- Subject to meeting eligibility criteria Consumers having Roof Top Renewable Energy Generating Systems can simultaneously avail Open Access under these Regulations

- Provided that during such simultaneous operation, net drawl recorded on net-meter/ meter adjusted for banking credit available under Rooftop Regulations shall be used for adjusting energy credit as per priority stipulated in Regulation 14.10 of the Principal Regulations.

- Additional surcharge shall not be applicable for Green Energy Open Access consumers, if fixed charges are being paid by such consumer.

- Green Energy Open Access to Consumer with Contract Demand lower than 1 MW shall be allowed based on Special Energy Meter for all High Tension Consumers and ToD meter for all eligible Low Tension Consumers.

- Banking charges shall be adjusted in kind @ 8% of the energy banked.

- The un-utilised surplus banked energy shall be considered as lapsed at the end of each banking cycle

- The Renewable Energy generating station shall be entitled to get Renewable Energy Certificates to the extent of the lapsed?banked?energy.