Assam Introduces New Draft Guidelines For Group And Virtual Net Metering 2024 To Boost Renewable Energy Adoption

The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has released new draft guidelines for Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering 2024 for renewable energy in Assam. These guidelines are aimed at encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and ensuring a smooth process for consumers and producers.

Group Net Metering allows consumers to generate renewable energy, such as solar power, and export surplus energy to the grid. This surplus is then adjusted against multiple electricity service connections owned by the same consumer within the distribution licensee’s supply area. Virtual Net Metering, on the other hand, is designed to allow multiple consumers, such as housing societies, government offices, hospitals, and schools, to share energy produced from a single renewable energy system. This framework lets energy generated be adjusted against more than one service connection within the same distribution licensee’s supply area.

These guidelines apply to all consumers in Assam under the Group Net Metering framework. Virtual Net Metering applies to consumers in the domestic category and others such as group housing societies, government offices, charitable institutions, and non-profit organizations. The annual generation capacity for renewable energy systems under both frameworks may be capped according to standards set by the Commission.

The AERC has also specified that the capacity of the renewable energy system under both frameworks must be between 1 kW and 1 MW. Additionally, the distribution licensee is responsible for conducting a detailed technical study to analyze the impact of renewable energy installations on the distribution network. They will also carry out necessary network augmentations to accommodate these renewable systems.

For application and registration, consumers are required to submit a form to the distribution licensee, along with a nonrefundable fee for feasibility analysis. The process is divided into three tiers: feasibility analysis, registration, and connection agreement. The distribution licensee will ensure the appropriate metering arrangements are installed, including renewable energy meters capable of remote reading. The cost of new net meters, if installed, will be borne by the consumer.

Billing and energy accounting for these frameworks follow specific procedures. For Group Net Metering, if the exported energy exceeds the import during a billing period, surplus units are adjusted against other connections according to a priority list set by the consumer. The surplus units are carried forward to subsequent billing periods within the settlement period. For Virtual Net Metering, the energy generated is credited to the monthly bills of participating consumers according to an agreed ratio. If a consumer’s service connection is disconnected, any remaining credits are settled by the distribution licensee at the end of the financial year.

At the end of the financial year, surplus energy will be settled at the average power purchase cost rate determined in the tariff order. An agreement will also be signed between the eligible consumers and the distribution company for setting up the system under these frameworks. Furthermore, renewable energy systems commissioned before March 31, 2024, will be exempt from various charges such as wheeling, banking, and cross-subsidy charges for their useful life.

These guidelines represent a structured approach by the AERC to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy systems in Assam, providing consumers with options for energy generation and distribution, while laying out a detailed process for participation and regulation.