DERC publishes draft Open Access to Green Energy Regulations 2024 – Asia Pacific

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has released the draft Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Conditions for Open Access to Green Energy) Rules, 2024.

These regulations aim to ensure non-discriminatory open access to renewable energy through intra-state transmission systems (InSTS) and distribution systems of state concessionaires, including systems accompanying inter-state transmission of electricity. The project defines the methodology for determining open access fees and banking fees for green energy consumers.

According to the regulations, recipients of open access to green energy will be categorized based on the time they use intra-state transmission and/or distribution systems. “Long-term open access to green energy” refers to the right to use these systems for a period exceeding seven years but not exceeding 25 years. “Medium-term open access to green energy” applies to periods exceeding three months but not exceeding five years. “Short-term open access to green energy” covers periods of up to one month at a time.

Long-term access will be granted in accordance with the transmission planning criteria and distribution planning code set out in the IRD. Short-term and medium-term access will be permitted if requests can be met by utilizing inherent design margins, changes in power flows and spare capacity of transmission and distribution systems built for future load growth.

Consumers seeking open access for 1 MW and above must install ABT-compliant meters on both the generator and consumer sides. For devices with a power of less than 1 MW, special energy meters capable of recording energy in 15-minute time blocks are required.

All applications related to Open Access to Green Energy should be submitted through the portal established by the Central Nodal Agency, which will forward them to the State Nodal Agency (SNA). These regulations apply to licensees, green energy producers or consumers with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more, whether through a single connection or multiple connections with an aggregate capacity of 100 kW or more in the same power division. There are no capacity limits on the creation of captive renewable energy projects in relation to the contracted consumer demand or sanctioned load with distribution companies (Dicoms).

The regulations will come into force upon publication and will apply to the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi.