The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission has introduced new regulations aimed at promoting the use of green energy through open access. These regulations, known as the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open-access) Regulations, 2024, mark a significant step towards facilitating the generation, purchase, and consumption of renewable energy within the state.
Under these regulations, consumers, termed Green Energy Open-access Consumers (GEOA), with a contract demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW and above, are eligible to participate. This includes both single connections and multiple connections aggregating 100 kW or more within the same electricity division of a distribution licensee. Captive consumers, exempt from load limits, are also covered. GEOA consumers receive their electricity supply from renewable energy (RE) sources, either from a licensee, the government, or any other entity engaged in supplying electricity to the public.
The regulations classify GEOA consumers based on the duration of their use of intra-state transmission and/or distribution systems. These include Long-term Open-access consumers (exceeding 12 years), Medium-term Open-access consumers (3 months to 3 years), and Short-term Open-access consumers (up to one month at a time). The preference for open access is given in the order of long-term, medium-term, and short-term consumers, depending on system capacity availability.
Entities, whether obligated or not, have the option to generate, purchase, and consume renewable energy according to their needs. This can be achieved through various means such as own generation from renewable sources, procuring renewable energy through open access from developers, or purchasing renewable energy certificates. Additionally, consumers can purchase green hydrogen or green ammonia to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligation.
The tariff for green energy is determined by the Commission, comprising the average pooled power purchase cost of renewable energy, cross-subsidy surcharges, and service charges covering the distribution licensee’s prudent cost. Consumers can voluntarily procure more renewable energy than their obligation, with steps ranging from 25% to 100%.
To streamline the process, the Central Nodal Agency operates the Green Open Access Registry (GOAR), and all applications related to green energy open access are submitted through this portal. The State Nodal Agency is responsible for receiving and processing applications, coordinating with transmission and distribution licensees, and ensuring relevant information is available on the Central Nodal Agency’s portal.
Transmission charges, wheeling charges, and cross-subsidy surcharges apply to GEOA consumers, and specific exemptions and considerations are outlined in the regulations. For instance, grid-connected solar projects with storage systems selling power within the state are granted a 100% exemption from transmission charges for ten years from the project’s commissioning date. These regulations aim to create a conducive environment for the adoption of green energy by providing a framework for open access, encouraging investment in renewable energy projects, and ensuring a fair and transparent process for consumers to access and utilize clean and sustainable energy sources.
Please view the document below for more details.
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