DERC Proposes GEOA Amendment To Expand Green Energy Access Beyond Voltage Barriers In Delhi

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has proposed a draft amendment to its Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) Regulations, originally introduced in 2024, with the aim of expanding access to renewable energy for a wider range of consumers in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The 2026 amendment focuses on removing certain technical barriers that had limited participation under the earlier framework.

Under the existing 2024 regulations, only consumers connected at a voltage level of 11 kV or above, along with a minimum load requirement of 100 kW, were eligible to procure green energy through open access. This voltage-based condition had effectively excluded many potential consumers who met the load criteria but were connected at lower voltage levels, particularly those under low-tension (LT) connections. As a result, several sectors—including telecommunications, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and commercial establishments with distributed operations—were unable to benefit from green energy procurement.

Recognizing this limitation, the Commission observed that the broader national framework for green energy access is intended to be based primarily on load rather than voltage. The continued enforcement of the 11 kV threshold in Delhi created an uneven playing field, where consumers with similar power requirements were treated differently depending on their connection type. To address this disparity, the proposed amendment removes the requirement of being “connected at 11 kV or above” from key definitions, including “Entity” and “Green Energy Open Access Consumer,” as well as from the overall eligibility criteria.

With this revision, any consumer with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more will now be eligible to access green energy, regardless of the voltage level of their connection. The amendment also allows aggregation of multiple connections within the same distribution licensee’s area to meet the minimum load threshold. Additionally, the Commission has reiterated that there will be no minimum load requirement for consumers establishing captive green energy projects for their own use.

In framing this amendment, the DERC reviewed regulatory approaches adopted by other states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have already aligned their policies with national guidelines. The Commission also noted that while the Central Electricity Authority is in the process of finalizing updated metering regulations, several states have successfully implemented open access frameworks by addressing technical challenges through existing systems.

The proposed amendment is described as enabling and prospective in nature. It does not alter existing approvals, tariffs, banking provisions, or technical feasibility conditions. Instead, it is intended to create a more inclusive regulatory environment that encourages broader participation in renewable energy adoption.

Once notified in the Official Gazette, the revised regulations are expected to support Delhi’s decarbonization goals by allowing more commercial and industrial consumers to transition toward cleaner energy sources.