JSERC Extends Intra-State Open Access Regulations Until 2030 With Key Amendment

The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) has issued a notification dated 28th May 2025, concerning the second amendment to the JSERC (Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access) Regulations, 2016. This notification was officially published in the Jharkhand Gazette on 16th June 2025, under the Gazette number 267.

The amendment has been made following the powers granted to the Commission under various sections of the Electricity Act, 2003. Specifically, the Commission exercised its authority under Section 86 (1)(a), (b), and (c), read with (e), Section 61 clauses (a) to (h), and Section 62 (1) of the Electricity Act, 2003. These legal provisions allow the Commission to regulate the purchase and procurement of electricity, promote efficiency, and ensure the rationalization of electricity tariffs within the state.

The newly issued regulation is titled “JSERC (Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025.” It makes a specific amendment to Regulation 1.3 of Chapter A1 in the Principal Regulations of 2016.

According to the revised Regulation 1.3, the new amendment will come into effect from the date it is published in the Jharkhand Gazette. Importantly, the regulation shall remain valid and in force until 31st March 2030, unless it is reviewed, amended, or extended further by the Commission.

This notification reflects the Commission’s continued efforts to manage and revise regulatory frameworks that govern open access electricity transmission within Jharkhand. Open access allows consumers to buy electricity directly from the market rather than being tied to a single distribution licensee. Such amendments help ensure that the state’s policies remain aligned with national electricity regulations and emerging market practices.

The document has been issued by the Secretary of the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission, and has been officially printed and published by the Superintendent of the Jharkhand Government Press located in Doranda, Ranchi.

This step is expected to provide greater clarity to all stakeholders involved in the intra-state electricity market, including open access consumers, power generators, and distribution companies operating within the jurisdiction of Jharkhand. The extension of the regulation’s validity till 2030 signals a stable and forward-looking regulatory environment, which is critical for long-term planning and investment in the state’s power sector.