In a move aimed at streamlining the renewable energy sector, the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) has notified the First Amendment to the Terms and Conditions of Open Access Regulation, 2024. The amendment introduces changes regarding the issuance of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for unutilised banked renewable energy.
The principal regulation, originally notified on March 18, 2024, allowed the issuance of RECs to Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) consumers for the unutilised banked quantum of energy under Clause 33.5. However, following a clarification issued by the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) regarding REC issuance to GEOA generators for surplus energy injected during a month, the Telangana State Load Despatch Centre (TGSLDC) approached the Commission seeking amendments to the regulation.
The proposed amendment is also aligned with the CERC Procedure for Implementation of REC Mechanism, 2024, issued on March 7, 2024, by the Grid Controller of India. Under the amendment, a clause of the principal regulation has been modified to clarify the treatment of energy injected into the licensee’s network between the date of grant of Green Energy Open Access and the submission of the wheeling agreement. Such energy will not be eligible for payment of energy charges and will be treated as inadvertent power.
As per the modified provision, Renewable Energy Generating Stations will now be entitled to Renewable Energy Certificates to the extent of the unutilised banked quantum of energy. The amendment has been issued under the powers conferred by the Electricity Act, 2003 and applies to the entire state of Telangana. It has been issued by order of the Commission.
