MPERC Notifies Sixth Amendment To Intra-State Open Access Regulations In Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) has notified a key update to the state’s electricity framework through the Sixth Amendment to the “Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access” Regulations. Officially issued as the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Revision-I) 2021 (Sixth Amendment), the new provisions will come into force across the state from the date of their publication in the official Gazette.

The amendment mainly addresses how consumers with an existing contract demand from distribution licensees should manage and declare their power requirements when applying for open access. Under the revised rules, any eligible consumer seeking open access must clearly state in the application whether the requested open access capacity falls within their existing contract demand or is over and above that contracted limit.

The Commission has also clarified how billing will be handled in such cases. If open access is granted within the consumer’s existing contract demand, only the open access energy recorded by the meter will be adjusted in the bill. Importantly, there will be no change in the billing demand in these situations. This clarification is expected to help industrial and commercial consumers better understand how their monthly electricity bills will be calculated when they procure power from third-party generators or power exchanges while continuing to remain connected to the local distribution company.

In addition, the amendment places responsibility on open access customers who inject electricity into the grid. Such entities are required to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the actual power injected at the interconnection point does not exceed the capacity that has been agreed upon for that connection. This measure is aimed at preventing grid stress and maintaining system discipline.

To further safeguard grid stability, the Commission has directed that all balancing and settlement of energy and demand must strictly follow the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Grid Code, 2019, the Balancing and Settlement Code, and applicable regulations on forecasting and scheduling of wind and solar power.

The amendment has been signed by Secretary Dr. Umakanta Panda and reflects the Commission’s continued efforts to streamline open access procedures and provide clearer operational guidelines for utilities and consumers in Madhya Pradesh.