In a significant regulatory proceeding concerning green energy open access in Gujarat, the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) heard Petition No. 2554 of 2025 during a hybrid hearing held on September 2, 2026.
The petition was filed by Vishal Foundry, an industrial entity located in Ravki village, Rajkot district. The petitioner has sought amendments, clarifications and formal definitions related to Regulation 17.6 (vi) of the GERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2024.
The petition highlights a regulatory gap concerning the banking of electricity by green energy open access consumers. Under Regulation 17.6 (vi), consumers are permitted to bank energy up to at least 30 percent of their total electricity consumption from the local distribution licensee during a billing period. However, the provision does not clearly specify the maximum or upper limit of energy that can be banked.
According to the petitioner, the absence of a defined ceiling creates uncertainty for industrial consumers while planning their electricity requirements and managing renewable energy consumption. The petition therefore seeks regulatory clarity on the maximum permissible level of banked energy under the existing framework.
The matter involves four respondents: the Energy & Petrochemicals Department of the Government of Gujarat, the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL), and Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL).
During the hearing, GUVNL and PGVCL informed the commission that they had already submitted their replies to the petition. However, the petitioner had not yet filed a rejoinder. An adjournment was therefore sought to allow the petitioner to clarify its position and complete the pleadings.
GEDA also sought additional time, stating that it had recently been engaged in the matter and had not received a copy of the petition. It requested four weeks to submit its response after receiving the petition. The petitioner agreed to provide the required copy and sought additional time to file its rejoinder.
After considering the submissions from all parties, GERC decided to adjourn the proceedings to provide sufficient opportunity for completion of the pleadings.
In its order dated September 5, 2026, the commission directed the petitioner to serve a copy of the petition to GEDA by September 5. GEDA has been directed to file its reply by September 28, while the petitioner has been given time until October 3 to submit its rejoinder, if any.
The next hearing date will be communicated separately. The outcome of the petition could provide important clarity on energy banking limits for green energy open access consumers in Gujarat.
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