‘Green Energy Open Access’ Rules

Why in news?

• The Ministry of Power has notified Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022.

About the new rule:

• It aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and green energy for all.
• Ministry of Power has notified Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) as Central Nodal Agency to set up and operate a single window green energy open access system for renewable energy.

Key Provisions of the Rules:

• Green Open Access is allowed to any consumer and the limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW for green energy, to enable small consumers also to purchase renewable power through open access.
• Consumers are entitled to demand-supply of Green Power from Discoms.
• Discoms would be obligated to procure and supply green power to eligible consumers.
• Approval for Green Open Access is to be granted in 15 days or else it will be deemed to have been granted.
• Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis.
• There shall be a uniform Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), on all obligated entities in the area of a distribution licensee. Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia has also been included for the fulfillment of its RPO.
• Consumers will be given Green Certificates if they consume green power.

Tariff for Green Energy:

• As per the Electricity Act 2003, the tariff for green energy shall be determined by Appropriate Commission.
• The tariff shall comprise of the average pooled power purchase cost of the renewable energy, cross-subsidy charges, if any, and service charges covering the prudent cost of the distribution licensee for providing green energy to the consumers.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022’, consider the following statements:

1. Commercial and industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis

2. Discoms would be obligated to procure and supply green power to eligible consumers

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

                           C

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