The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has issued the Draft Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms & Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The draft amendment proposes certain changes to the existing framework that governs Green Energy Open Access in the state. These changes are intended to update provisions that were originally set under the Principal Regulations of 2024 and to address evolving requirements in Gujarat’s renewable energy sector.
The key objective of the proposed amendment is to regulate the banking charges applicable to green energy under the open access mechanism. Banking of electricity allows renewable energy generators or consumers to store surplus electricity supplied to the grid and withdraw it later when needed. This mechanism is widely used by solar and wind power developers as well as by commercial and industrial consumers who procure renewable power through open access arrangements.
Under the proposed amendment, the Commission has replaced Regulation 1(4) and Regulation 17.6(viii) of the Principal Regulations. These revisions introduce a defined rate and timeline for banking charges related to green energy. According to the draft regulation, a banking charge of ₹1.50 per unit will be applicable.
The proposed charge will come into effect from the date the regulation is officially published in the Government Gazette. Once implemented, the rate will remain valid until June 30, 2026. However, the draft also clarifies that the duration may change if the Commission decides to notify revised banking charges through a separate regulatory notification before that date. In such a case, the newly notified rates would replace the interim charge earlier than June 30.
The regulation further states that once the initial validity period ends or a new notification is issued, the banking charges will be governed by the revised rates determined by the Commission. This approach provides regulatory flexibility while ensuring that stakeholders have a clear cost structure for a defined period.
The amendment draft was prepared in Gandhinagar and formally signed on March 11, 2026, by Ranjeeth Kumar J., Secretary of the Commission. The Commission exercised its regulatory authority under various provisions of the Electricity Act 2003 to introduce these changes. These provisions include Sections 39, 40, 42, 61, 86, and 181 of the Act, which empower state electricity regulatory commissions to frame rules and guidelines governing electricity transmission, distribution, and open access.
The scope of the proposed regulations extends across the entire state of Gujarat. This means all stakeholders involved in green energy open access in the state will need to follow the updated provisions once they come into force. The amendment aims to bring clarity to the financial aspects of energy banking and ensure consistency in the way such charges are applied.
By setting a fixed banking charge of ₹1.50 per unit for the interim period, the Commission seeks to create a predictable financial environment for renewable energy developers, power consumers, and distribution companies operating under open access arrangements. Such clarity can help project developers plan their operations and financial commitments more effectively.
The draft amendment is part of the continuing evolution of Gujarat’s renewable energy regulatory framework. As the state expands its solar and wind capacity and encourages wider participation in green power procurement, regulatory adjustments like this help maintain balance between grid management, cost recovery, and the promotion of clean energy adoption.
As per the standard regulatory process, the amendment will officially take effect only after it is published in the Official Gazette. Once implemented, stakeholders across Gujarat’s green energy ecosystem will need to incorporate the revised banking charges into their operational and financial planning until mid-2026 or until further revisions are issued by the Commission.
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