The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the state of Goa and union territories has come up with open access regulations for the intra-state transmission and distribution for the year.

These regulations have been in force since March 14, 2018.

Mercom previously reported that the states of Bihar and Assam also issued their respective open access regulations.

The regulations apply to the state of Goa and the union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Puducherry, and Chandigarh.

According to JERC, a consumer having a load of 4 MW and above or a generating station having a capacity of 4 MW and above will be eligible to obtain Intra-State Transmission System (ISTS) connectivity.

A generating station with an installed capacity below 4 MW can also obtain ISTS connectivity if it is found to be technically feasible by the State Transmission Utility (STU).

A generating station, including a captive power project having installed capacity less than 4 MW, will be eligible to obtain connectivity to the distribution system. In such cases, the distribution company (DISCOM) will be eligible for ISTS connectivity or connection to another DISCOM network.

The STU will convey its decision on grant of connectivity within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of application.

The JERC order stated, “Open access will be allowed to all consumers where the maximum power to be made available at any time exceeds the threshold level of 1 MVA.”

According to JERC, any licensee (DISCOM), any generating company which owns and operates or intends to own and operate a generating station in the state, including a captive power project will be eligible for open access to the ISTS of the STU or any other intra-state transmission licensee on payment of transmission and other charges.

Any consumer applying for open access to the distribution system must settle all dues of the DISCOM before putting forth the application. Long-term open access will be allowed in accordance with the transmission system planning criteria and the distribution system planning criteria stipulated in the state grid code.

Medium-term open access will be granted if the resultant power flow can be accommodated in the existing transmission system and the distribution system. For granting either long-term or medium-term open access, the applicant will bear the cost of any augmentation of the transmission or distribution system that may be required.

JERC has also specified that wheeling charges need to be paid on the basis of actual energy drawn at the consumption end. A consumer of a DISCOM that has been granted open access, or a consumer situated within the area of supply of a DISCOM or receiving supply from a generating company using a dedicated transmission line, will pay cross-subsidy surcharge determined on per unit basis for the actual energy drawn at the consumption end through open access during a month.

Recently, the Forum of Regulators (FOR) released a report on the issues affecting open access in the country. The report charts a way forward for the better implementation of open access in India.