MNRE Minister chairs meeting with industry leaders on Green Energy Open Access Rules

New Delhi: Union Power and NRE Minister RK Singh presided over a meeting on Green Energy Open Access Rules in New Delhi on Saturday with industry representatives and other stakeholders, said the Ministry in a statement. Further, it said that the meeting was held in hybrid mode. About 50 attendees physically attended the meeting, and more than 500 participated remotely, it added.

Participants raised several problems that they have faced with regard to Green Open Access Rules

During the meeting, participants raised several problems that they have faced with regard to Green Open Access Rules (GOAR), said the statement. Speaking on the occasion, "Singh called upon the industry leaders to set targets for going green and take advantage of the provisions of Green Energy Open Access Rules to get Green Power at reasonable rates and also contribute to a greener and sustainable environment," it added.

'Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022 are a major step towards India going green'

“Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022 are a major step towards India going green and cutting emissions by 45 percent in line with India’s updated NDC target for 2030. It will also help bring down power cost significantly. I want you all to take advantage of the new rules and work with a vision to leave behind a greener planet for future generations,” the Union Power and NRE Minister said.

Singh also asked the "industry stakeholders to inform the government of such cases where the Green Energy Open Access Rules are not being followed in letter and spirit so that the government can take up the issue with the concerned agencies and if required, take penal actions," the statement added. "The industry was assured of all possible help including resolution of regulatory, policy, evacuation infrastructure, connectivity, GNA, etc, as may be required for the adoption of green energy open access rules by industry," it added.

Features of Green Energy Open Access Rules

The statement also highlighted the features of the Green Energy Open Access Rules and said, "The 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." The rules also allowed consumers to demand-supply of Green Power from Discoms. It also noted that, "these Rules have streamlined the overall approval process for granting open access. Time-bound processing by bringing uniformity and transparency in the application as well as approval of open access through a national portal has been mandated. Approval for Green Open Access is to be granted in 15 days or else it will be deemed to have been granted."

"The 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," the statement said. It also added that consumers will be provided with green certificates.

Tariff for green energy shall be determined by appropriate commission

"As per the Electricity Act 2003, the tariff is determined by the Appropriate Commission. Accordingly, the tariff for the green energy shall be determined by Appropriate Commission and shall comprise 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," said the statement.

Grid Controller of India Ltd appointed as central agency for GOAR

Grid Controller of India Limited has already been designated by the Ministry of Power as the Central Nodal Agency which is operating Green Open Access Registry (GOAR), the single window portal for registering and applying for the Green Energy Open Access, said the statement. "The web-based GOAR portal, which serves as a central registry, makes all information relating to approvals, rejections, changes, curtailments, etc. available to the appropriate parties," it added.

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