GERC Issues Draft Third Amendment To Green Energy Open Access Regulations 2025 With Revised Banking Charges

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has released the draft of the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The draft notification, issued under Notification No. — of 2025 (GERC/Tech/2025), has been prepared in exercise of powers conferred under Sections 39, 40, 42, 61, and 86 of the Electricity Act, 2003, read with Section 181 and other enabling provisions of the Act. These amendments are intended to update and refine the existing framework of the Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2024, which serve as the principal regulations for promoting renewable energy access in the state.

According to the draft, the new regulations will be titled the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The scope of these regulations extends to the entire state of Gujarat, and they will come into effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. This amendment is focused mainly on provisions relating to banking charges for renewable energy under open access.

One of the key changes proposed is the substitution of Regulation 1 (4) of the principal regulations. Under this amendment, the banking charges specified in Regulation 17.6 will remain effective from the date of notification until March 31, 2026. After this date, banking charges for the period starting from April 1, 2026, onwards will be decided by the Commission and notified separately. This provision ensures regulatory flexibility and allows the Commission to revise banking charges in line with future requirements and market conditions.

Another major amendment is in Regulation 17.6 (viii). The draft specifies that a banking charge of ₹1.50 per unit will be applicable from the date of notification until March 31, 2026. Beyond this period, from April 1, 2026, the applicable banking charges will be determined by the Commission through a separate notification. This brings clarity to stakeholders on the immediate applicable rate while leaving room for adjustments in the future as per evolving policy and energy sector dynamics.

With these changes, GERC is attempting to strike a balance between providing certainty for renewable energy developers and consumers in the short term and retaining the ability to revise charges in the long term. The draft amendment reflects the state’s continuing commitment to strengthening the regulatory environment for renewable energy while also ensuring that the financial aspects of open access remain viable and sustainable. Once finalized and notified, these amendments will play a significant role in shaping Gujarat’s renewable energy market and its integration with open access frameworks.