Summary:
—
#### **1. Promotion of Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) – Major Shift**
– **Lowered Threshold:** Any consumer with a contracted/sanctioned load of **100 kW and above** can now avail Green Energy Open Access (previously higher limits applied). This opens the market for small and medium commercial/industrial users.
– **Aggregation Model:** For multiple connections (each <100 kW) within the same **electricity division**, with **aggregated load between 100 kW and 200 kW**, they can avail GEOA through a **Lead GEOA Consumer** – without requiring same name or same retail category.
– **Captive Users:** No load limitation for captive users availing green energy.
– **License Area Restriction:** For five major discoms (Paschimanchal, Dakshinanchal, Madhyanchal, Purvanchal, KESCO), the “same electricity division” rule applies. For other licensees, the entire license area is considered a single zone.
#### **2. New Roles and Registries (Digital Transformation)**
– **UPSTU Registry (UPSTU-R):** A unified electronic platform for processing **medium-term and long-term** open access applications, connectivity requests, feasibility reports, and payments.
– **UPSLDC Registry (UPSLDC-R):** A similar platform for **short-term** open access registration, concurrence, and processing.
– **Lead GEOA Consumer:** A single point of contact authorized by a group of GEOA consumers to handle applications, scheduling, metering, billing, and payment de-pooling with STU/SLDC/discoms. The distribution licensee must provide web-based accounting and billing for such groups.
#### **3. Revised Time Periods for Open Access Agreements**
| Parameter | Original (2019) | Amended (2024) |
|———–|—————-|—————-|
| Short-term OA | >3 months to ≤5 years | >11 months to ≤3 years |
| Maximum OA duration | Not specified | Exceeding 5 years but **not exceeding 25 years** |
| Minimum notice for GEOA application | Not specified | At least **45 days** in advance |
| Registration validity (short-term) | Not clearly defined | **1 year**, renewable annually |
#### **4. Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) Alignment**
– **Terminology:** “Imbalance Charges” replaced with **”Deviation Charges”** to align with CERC DSM Regulations, 2022.
– **For solar/wind:** Deviations settled under **UPERC (Forecasting, Scheduling, Deviation Settlement…) Regulations, 2018**.
– **For other generators/discoms/full OA consumers:** Settled under **CERC DSM Regulations**.
#### **5. Surcharge Exemptions – Significant Cost Savings**
– **Cross Subsidy Surcharge (CSS) & Additional Surcharge** shall NOT apply for:
– GEOA consumers paying fixed charges.
– Power from **non-fossil fuel based Waste-to-Energy plants** supplied to GEOA consumers.
– Green energy used for producing **green hydrogen or green ammonia**.
– Electricity from **offshore wind projects** commissioned up to **December 2032**.
#### **6. Metering and Accounting Changes**
– **Part Open Access:** Heading changed to “Accounting in case of Part Open Access”.
– **Low Voltage GEOA (<11 kV):** Option to use **Smart Meters** as per CEA regulations.
– **STU Responsibility:** To provide meter specifications and maintain updated approved makes list on website.
– **Nodal Officers:** Designated at transmission zone and discom levels for periodic testing, calibration, and maintenance of interface meters.
—-
For more information please see below link:
